Tauranga City dog rangers have begun patrolling the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa beaches to help manage an increasing dog problem.

While dog owners might enjoy a walk along the beach, their dogs are not always allowed to tag along them, says the city animal services team leader Brent Lincoln.

File photo.

'These patrols are all about us getting out there to ask our community to do the right thing and exercise their dogs on our beaches within the rules – that is, control their dogs effectively, dispose of their droppings properly, keep them on leads when required, and keep them away from restricted areas,” says Brent.

Brent says the beach patrols are to help manage Tauranga's increasing dog population and to let dog owners know what was expected of them.

'As we all know, Tauranga is growing, and with more people comes more dogs.

'We want to continue to welcome dogs on our parks, reserves and some areas of our beaches. We're getting out there in the community to help our dog owners to do the right thing, so everyone can enjoy our beautiful open spaces.”

Patrols of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa beaches have already started.

'We get a lot of complaints about dogs being allowed to run up to people,” says Brent. 'Even though the dog may not do anything, this can still be intimidating and is not acceptable dog control.

'Even the best trained dog can be unpredictable at times, so owners should put their dog on a lead whenever approaching another animal or person and then release it again when safely past.”

Dog owners can exercise their dogs almost anywhere in Tauranga as long as the animal is under control, says Brent.

There are some places where owners aren't allowed to take their dog, for ecological reasons or because the areas are used intensively by the public.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times in Matua Salt Marsh and in the Papamoa Dune Wilderness Area between Papamoa Domain and Taylor Road.

Dogs are not allowed in the following areas:

Beaches

• Mount Maunganui main beach, from Moturiki (Leisure) Island up to and including Mauao
• Pilot Bay from Mauao to Salisbury Avenue
• On Omanu Beach, within 200 metres of Omanu Surf Club premises
• On Papamoa Beach, within 200 metres of the Papamoa Surf Club premises

Parks and reserves

• Elms Reserve
• Mauao including the base track
• Moturiki (Leisure) Island
• McLaren Falls Park
• Papamoa Hills Park
• Inside any fenced children's playground or within 10 meters from any play equipment inside any unfenced children's playground
• Otumoetai Pa Historic Reserve

Dogs must be leashed if they are likely to cause danger, distress or nuisance, or if walking near a public road. Dog owners must also carry a leash at all times in case they need to secure their pet.