All dog owners need to remember there are restriction times across all Coromandel beaches over the summer period.

Compliance officers will be patrolling beaches and public places with a special focus at beach exercise areas to ensure dogs are under control and droppings are picked up.

Dog restrictions are in place across all of Coromandel's beaches during summer. Photo: File

The Thames Coromandel District Council is warning that any breaches to the dog control bylaws may result in instant fines being issued without warnings.

Beaches receiving additional attention will be Whangamata, Onemana, Brophys Beach, Matarangi and Whangapoua, but officers will patrol all beaches and public places randomly on a daily basis.

Compliance and Bylaws Team Leader Steve Hart says council's bylaw requires dogs to be on leads at all times in public places unless they are within designated exercise areas.

'Our message to dog owners is clear, if you can't control your dog then put it on a lead to avoid problems with dogs annoying others.

'Dog owners also need to be mindful that they are responsible for their dog's actions and if their dog attacks another animal or person then they may face the consequences.

Steve says these consequences include the offending dog being impounded pending an investigation under the Dog Control Act 1996.

Dogs that do attack anoter animal or person may be classified as menacing or dangerous, the owners fined, and in the case of a serious attack, the owner may be prosecuted.

If convicted, the dog may be destroyed and the owner banned from owning a dog for up to five years.

There is currently a Whangamata dog owner facing another court hearing for a fatal attack by three pig dogs on a much loved pet dog in August.

In another case, a dog from Tairua has been impounded and the owner facing a possible prosecution for a serious dog attack on an elderly Australian tourist in early December.

The visitor was admitted to Waikato Hospital and required surgery to her facial wounds.

If your dog shows any aggressive behaviour you should immediately consider behaviour correction training and assess whether the dog is safe around people or other animals, says Steve.

'Dog Control is a priority for our team so we are improving signage at beaches and stepping up enforcement action against owners who disrespect dog exercise area rules, do not pick up droppings, fail to control dogs.

'We are also working closer this year with Department of Conservation staff and dotterel minders to curb an identified issue of dogs disturbing Dotterel chicks or eating eggs.”

This year council is asking owners exercising dogs on beaches within 100 metres of any identified dotterel nesting area to put them on leads.

To find out more about dog exercise areas visit the Thames Coromandel District Council's website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/dogs

To find out more about the NZ Dotterel visit the Department of Conservation's website by clicking here.