Dogs of the Western Bay - our Draft Dog Control Policy and Bylaw

As a dog oqner. I would love to see more places able for us to take our dogs. Incentives for good owners yes and also education to non dog owners on how to behave around a dog and how to treat them

With regard to free exercise areas there definitely needs to be one in Welcome Bay, there are so many dogs at Tye park in the mornings and evenings especially, that it becomes unsafe for small children especially as the playground is unfenced and the dog signage is small and inadequate. For example yesterday there were dogs playing around the slide so that i had to fend them off for my child to be able to safely get onto the platform at the top, then this morning there were dogs sniffing around the slide and one did a wee on the corner of the platform, which just means more dogs will wee there. The dog owners are fairly considerate but the sheer numbers of dogs means there is likely to be increasing numbers of incidents. I rarely take my kids to that park anymore, its too risky but it has been so hot that i have had to take them to the beach

hould Council provide incentives for ‘good' dog owners?
Yes, it is hard to see more restrictions coming into play as some dogs are being a menace to wildlife etc. when some dogs are very obedient

Where should dogs be required to be on a leash, and do we need to simplify current restrictions?
No, there should not be a requirement for dogs to be on a leash simply under control. When I see a dog coming towards me on a leash and mine is not I immediately call my dog to me so that she does not interfere with the other dog. it is a question of common sense and being polite. I do find the current restrictions in Omokoroa over the summer very restrictive especially as the further away you go from the center there are hardly any people on the foreshore. Yes, by the toilets have a permanent ban so that that there is a kid friendly area but to stretch it to cover the whole area is exessive.

Could Council do more to help you better deal with dog poo?
Provide bags in the park.

Should Council do more to help dogs living in inadequate conditions, and how?
education and perhaps enforced rehoming

Should Council make it a legal requirement for dogs classified as menacing or caught roaming repeatedly to be neutered?
yes.

Also, good off leash parks would be good. TECT park is great but 30 mins from Tauranga

I would love to see an incentive to good owners who register, microchip and neuter their dogs and they get a discount for this on their registration. I think it is the responsibility of the council to make sure all owners get their dogs neutered to eliminate unwanted deaths.

Christchruch has some nice things related to dogs, Victoria park and specially the groyners are awesome places to take your dog. I don't agree to not be able to walk my dog on the lead in some areas at the mount, like not being able to go and buy an ice cream from the wave truck when I have my dog with me. Agree with the ban in some areas at the beach, specially close to the life guards. so who don't like dogs have an option to go there. Again, Christchurch have some "walking pass, in the lead" beach areas during day light save times. Works well, there are also some places where dogs are more than welcome and like if I want go the the beach I would go there because I know there will be others dogs and dog friendly people there. Something need to be done, we pay heaps for our dogs registration and we don't see the money being used for anything in favour of the dogs. Yes, more rubbish bins please!

Dogs in public places...whats the point having rules if they are not enforced. Go to Pilot Bay on any given weekend and you will always see dogs in the 'dog free zone', I counted six on my last half hour visit.
A walk on the Daisy walkway will reveal 90% of dogs off lead, even though all dogs must be on a lead on any footpath or public walkway. A quick trip to the Kulim mud flats at low tide will reveal dogs having great fun chasing rare caspian turns, godwits ,oyster catchers and the like, much to the delight of their ignorant owners.
Signs don't work, fines do.

Exercise areas are great idea but shouldn't stop dogs and responsible owners going to other places as well.
Providing bins and bags would be great - no excuse then and implement fines for people who don't comply-or name and shame- might be more cost effective.
Dogs are an integral part of many NZ lives but owners need to be convinced to behave appropriately when owning a dog and so, unfortunately, for some consequences are needed. Having said that, we are all human and mistakes do happen, we just need to do all we can to minimise these. Maybe a dog license should require some sort of training for first time or offending owners?
Sue

As a responsible animal owner I have to make sure all my animals stay on my property, surely this should be the same for dog and cat owners.
I have seen on three occasions over the summer dogs killing blue penguins on the beach at Waihi, I have seen on many many occasions dogs peeing on logs etc that later in the day children play on, I have seen dog owners watch there dogs poo then there owners sweeping sand over the offending dog poo, so please don't tell me dog owners are responsible.
At Waihi Beach the answer is very simple, an exclusive walking track thro the sand hill area to the north of the houses at bowentown back to the houses at the Waihi end, on the ocean side of the road, this has to be a win win for everybody, with people have exclusive use of the beach. In other areas thro out the WBOPDC I can think of many areas that dog walking areas could be set up where there would be minimal harm to native birds or children.

Working as a volunteer at an SPCA, with the dog pound next door, I see the huge number of dogs that are in the pound each and every week.Our SPCA is constantly full of dogs and puppies. I feel that desexing of ALL dogs should be mandatory. The exception would be breeding dogs. Regarding dog parks.... I wish we had space in the mountains , hills...so that dogs can run off leash and both owner and dog get a decent run/walk. I feel dog parks as such are not suitable for big breeds of dogs. my two cents worth,

What about the barking/yelping dog. I have had neighbors go on holiday for six weeks leaving three dogs behind that barked yelped and cried day and night. But because someone was feeding them and giving them water the council could do nothing even tho they were in cages the whole time. When I rang to talk to owners about this they took it as a personal insult and got abusive?
What are the rules on dogs barking? This can be very distressing living next to barking/howling dogs.

The rules are good ideas, but need to be enforced for all.
I find as s dog owner the worst people out there are the ones who don't try to control there own dogs. This can be as simple as using a lead. Small dog owners are the worst offenders for this.

Side tracking from the dog issue I would like to see council bring in a license fee for cats...

DOG POO. It is a crime for people to wee and poo in public places. What's the difference - yuk?. Dog owners should at least be legally required to pick up their dog's poo and dispose of it in a safe and hygienic manner. (e.g. down the loo at home or in dog-poo bins provided by Council at public beaches/parks etc.) PENALTY: Fine, name and shame. Third offence - animal is removed. REWARD - hygienic public spaces for everyone.
FREE EXERCISE AREAS - yes please with dog-poo bins provided. REWARD - hygienic exercise areas for dogs and people etc.
NEUTERING: All dogs/bitches should be neutered. Only exception for approved Kennel Club Member breeders. PENALTY: Animal removed for re-housing. REWARD: Limit unwanted pets.
PUBLIC PLACE RESTRICTIONS - All dogs - no exception - muzzled when in public places (including streets) PENALTY: Animal removed for re-housing.
IMPROVING WELFARE STANDARDS - Society does not accept ill treatment of any animals. Ill treated pets (any kind) to be removed immediately, re-homed or put down. REWARD: Healthy well cared for pets.
NOISE - unsociable dog barking or yapping . PENALTY: Fines and or removal of animals. (Yappy dogs are usually bored dogs needing the right kind of training at puppy stage). REWARD: Friendly neighbourhoods.

Good day,
There should be rules, but fair rules.
People should be able to walk and play with their dogs on the beaches.....perhaps not a peak times. And absolutely no menacing dogs. (Anywhere as a matter of opinion).
All dog poo should be picked up! Many cities provide free bags and handy disposal units. Not a bit deal to pick up and much more pleasant for everyone.

I wrote to WBOPDC last year as a ratepayer and holiday maker at Waihi Beach. I never got a response but was raising the issue about the dog restrictions on the beach over the summer period - and quite an extended period. Whilst I understand that you don't want dogs on the loose when the beach is populated, I can't see any issues with allowing dog owners to walk their dogs on the beach on a leash - or at least in area 'outside the flags' / surf club main beach zone. Part of being on holiday is obviously walking your dog on the beach if you are a dog owner. It is crazy that to do so you have to effectively go to Bowentown. Whilst I know the beach is about enjoyment for everyone, we do pay rates in this area and with that it should permit you to enjoy what the region has to offer. I completely accept that dogs should need to be on leads over the peak period, but still think you should be able to walk your dog on the beach. I also think the timeframe is excessive, given the Waihi Beach is only really populated over a very short period.

Poo; Owner's responsibility.

Exercise areas; If I had a dog I wouldn't want to leave my suburb to visit the free area's listed, so council perhaps needs to add some greenspace to Tga suburbs specifically for dogs.It could always be fenced and maintained as per any normal playground area, and a bin could be added for rubbish "poo" collection. I would prefer not to mix any dogs with public waterways, parks or playgrounds or shopping areas that families visit.

Incentives: Discount for fees with an increase to those who don't pay reg on time.

Neutering: Why do we even have menacing dogs?

Public Place Restrictions: As mentioned before public playgrounds, parks, waterways and shopping areas. I can't even take my girl to Tye Park as it is basically a dog park where everyone lets their dogs roam for exercise. I can't tell you how many times a dog has jumped up on me when I have been out on walks with my family such as Memorial Park (yes it does happen). Pelorus Park and even the Daisy walkway. People disregard all rules for keeping dogs away from playgrounds. (you know the 10m rule).

Welfare; yes to everything in the theme pdf, can you remove the dog if the living conditions are not acceptable??

I think new rules need to be in place and all of the rules enforced, all 6 key themes are very important and I think its very important to de-sex dogs found roaming even just once. Lowered or free registration rates for dogs that are de-sexed and registered on time would increase the amount of registered dogs I think. One huge problem is that there are too many dogs that live on un-fenced sections which needs to be corrected!

I think new rules need to be in place and all of the rules enforced, all 6 key themes are very important and I think its very important to de-sex dogs found roaming even just once. Lowered or free registration rates for dogs that are de-sexed and registered on time would increase the amount of registered dogs I think. One huge problem is that there are too many dogs that live on un-fenced sections which needs to be corrected!

Why bother with new rules when the old aren't even enforced successfully. I am sick of going around the streets and seeing dog poo everywhere from people who don't pick up after their pets, or from dogs left to roam around. It's disgusting. And yes, I pick up my dogs poo's. It's not that hard to do.

Hi there,
I have been a dog owner in the past, and getting rid of the "dog poo" is always a big problem. Maybe we should look at Cambridge who have large size dog shaped containers painted green so "dog poo" can be disposed inside. I am guessing the bins would be lined to make disposal easier. What do others think. Would Western Bay council have enough money to fund this idea.

There definitely should be incentives for good dog owners! There are so many dogs not registered, and those that are registered we really get nothing for it. - apart from abiding the law.
Perhaps incentives like reduced/discounted vet appointments or even pet products.
I fell super strongly about this!
As having 7 dogs to register I get so wild when I see dogs roaming to the point u am scared to walk my dog with my toddler. And when I have called the wbopdc about them I had a reply along the lines of "can you take a photo of it and can you see a registration tag"? Like really- I am noyt going to get that close to a stray dog to take a photo!!!