Life's about to get tougher for Western Bay of Plenty dogs, no more wandering about downtown without a lead, or pooing where they please.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking public feedback on a new dog control regime requiring dog owners to carry a means of picking up dog poo at all times when walking dogs and to remove and dispose of their dog's poo in public places or land owned by someone else.
Feedback is being sought on tighter dog rules.
Dogs will be required to stay on a leash in Waihi Beach, Katikati and Te Puke town centres; and off the foreshore altogether between Cooney's Reserve and Lynley Park Omokoroa, and an on leash restriction along the new Omokoroa to Bethlehem Cycleway.
Maps showing the proposed changes can be viewed on the consultation website.
Dogs classified as menacing must be neutered within one month of classification. And all dogs impounded or infringed for roaming three times within any 12 month period must be neutered within one month.
The council also promises to develop designated dog exercise areas in the District where there is strong community support for such a facility, and to introduce a range of minimum standards to improve the welfare of dogs.
The changes to the dog policy follow public feedback earlier this year, says group manager policy, planning and regulatory, Rachael Davie.
'When we asked our communities what changes they'd like to see we had a really good response. More than 1000 people visited the Dogs of the Western Bay feedback website and hundreds came to our Doggy Day Out,” says Rachael.
'A lot of people were in support of more dog exercise areas and felt strongly about putting leash restrictions in certain places.”
Rachael encourages everyone to visit the Dogs of the Western Bay consultation site to read about the proposed changes and, if they want to, have their say.
The website also includes new-look maps of the proposed public place restrictions and a Q&A forum.
'This is not just for dog owners either,” says Rachael. 'People who use a certain park or reserve may have a view about what the dog restrictions should be, or some people might have a general interest in animal welfare.”
There are currently more than 8000 dogs registered in the Western Bay District. Consultation is open from April 13 to May 13.
11 comments
here we go again
Posted on 14-04-2016 08:08 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
ONE SHOULD TALK,think they should hold their tongue,look whats happenend at TECT PARK,life should get tougher for the STIRRERS in that debarcle,10-4 out,you are the best NO1 in the Bay.
All Talk
Posted on 14-04-2016 09:45 | By Capt_Kaveman
No do TCC WBOP are nothing but a pack of liabilities good income for less work, but again they target the easy meat and the ones that need looking at go un touched
What a load of tosh
Posted on 14-04-2016 10:18 | By MonkeyControl
The council should stick to emptying bins and changing lightbulbs.
long weekends
Posted on 14-04-2016 10:28 | By hapukafin
It is noticable that after a long weenkend there are more doggie doos lying around at Ferguson Park
Dog control regime
Posted on 14-04-2016 10:41 | By The Sage
All the tightening of leashes and rules will not make a jot of difference. You will still get the same people not micro chipping their dogs, not controlling them in public places, not cleaning up after them. How is this going to be policed. No good putting measures in place without backing them up. It's all a merry-go-round.
Agree with the Sage
Posted on 14-04-2016 12:57 | By Annalist
Enforce the current laws first and show some intestinal fortitude.
Rastus
Posted on 14-04-2016 13:35 | By rastus
The laws are there - give those who are supposed to police those laws a hurry up and also a bit of moral support - I love dogs but too many people own dogs without the space and facilities a healthy dog needs and too many are totally irresponsible when allowing their dogs to roam free or to allowing dogs on a lead to do what they want indiscriminately - lets fine the owners plenty and then we will get some results,
Not a dog Problem its an Owner Problem
Posted on 14-04-2016 15:09 | By Bcdogs
I am a responsible dog owner , all three of my dogs are registered, all micro chipped,have attained good canine citizenship, and have never strayed off my property. They are always under complete control at all times when on and off my property. Iwould be guttered if they had to be on a lead at all times!!! maybe council need to enforce a tighter dog owners policy. Everyone who owns a dog must complete and attain a certificate stating the dog has been through a training class by a dog training club or a qualified dog trainer and passed.. This should be on councils records that you have a dog and you have done the appropriate training required to own a dog
Dog Qwner
Posted on 14-04-2016 15:13 | By What now
Go for it Western Bay. Wish TCC would do the same.. I actually own dogs and each dogs lead has bags on it and I pick up their poo. If you cant do that then don't own a dog. Other people don't want to deal with your dog poo. Dogs found wandering then a trip to the pound for them and I think the fine should be higher to get them out. People need to be responsible for their dogs.
to by what now
Posted on 14-04-2016 18:18 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
DONT START ME
While we are at it
Posted on 14-04-2016 20:56 | By The Sage
How about enforcing the 10 metre rule away from a children's playground law? Tonight in Fergusson Park, 2 large dogs, with a family, all over the children's playground.
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