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

I run Eva's Animal ResQ in Tauranga and I feel that there especially needs to be animal training/behaviour/welfare courses. People need to learn all aspects of pet ownership, ignorance runs rampant here. This is just a very small part of my opinion but wanted to share. If you need to contact me don't hesitate x Thanks! Love what you do

I too think responsible dog owners should be acknowledged and rewarded. Taupo district council offers such a scheme at a cost of $53 per year. The following has been copied and pasted from their website and certainly worth consideration: SPECIAL DOG APPLICATION
The Special Dog classi cation acknowledges exemplary dog owners by offering reduced registration fees. This classi cation is subject to the completion of this form and demonstration that the following criteria are met.
Compulsory criteria
1. Adequate housing to con ne the dogs (tick one)
?Kenneling/run (see overleaf for sizes)
? Fencing: Dog/s are contained in a secure fenced area that is suitable to contain the size and breed type of the dog and there is access to at least one door to the dwelling/premises without having to enter the area where the dog is kept.
? Inside dog at all times – toy and small dog breeds that remain inside at all times. This does not mean ‘allowed to come inside’ it means ‘remains indoors at all times’.
2. No impoundings, infringements, justi ed complaints or late registration payments/ penalties within the last two years.
3. Special Dog application fee is paid upon lodgement.
4. Existing dog numbers comply with Taup? District Council Bylaws. (A permit is required if there are more than two dogs on any land or premises within the urban environment.)
5. No dangerous dog classi cations have been issued to your dog/s.
6. All dog/s owned or kept by you must have a current registration at all times and comply with microchipping requirements.
Any breaches of these criteria will result in immediate cancellation of your special dog classification.
By applying for special dog classi cation you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:
• Taup? District Council must be noti ed of any change in ownership, address or location of your dog/s. Depending on criteria you’ve previously met for the special dog classi cation, you may require an additional property visit which will result in another fee being required.
• Special dog classi cation is given to those dog/s applied for and assessed under these criteria. Any new dog/s obtained may not automatically qualify for this discounted rate.
• The council reserves the right to decline or cancel any special dog application/classi cation on reasonable grounds and in doing so, shall con rm the reasons for the refusal/cancellation in writing.
• A special dog application may be lodged at any time. If you are registering a dog for the rst time, you will need to pay the full urban registration rate along with the special dog application fee. If you are approved for the special dog classi cation, the difference between the full urban registration rate and the special dog registration rate is non refundable, however it will be held as a credit on your dog owner account for the following registration year.
• All dog/s owned or kept by you must be kept under proper control at all times.
• Registration fees for each year are always due on 1 July. Payment for registration made after 1 July will result in the cancellation of the special dog classi cation.

I think making it a requirement for people who are out with their dogs to have a bag with them is a good idea - I have the little doggy doo bags attached to all our leads so you don't go out without one by mistake.
Dogs must be on leads in public places like the main street of Te Puke. We were at a DOC camp where all the dogs were meant to be on a lead. Our little lap dog (on her leash) was attacked by a pitbull that was not. Hugely unfair. All the dogs we saw that were off lead were the aggressive type - not properly trained to walk at heel so easier for the lazy owners to let them off...
Definitely neuter dogs found wandering repeatedly

- Dog Poo: Two causes are owners that don't care and owners that don't see off lead dogs doing their business. Free bags for other owners to pick up others business would help (high use areas only). Encourage owners to donate bags by providing bag holders in public spaces (works in other regions).
- Exercise Areas: Safe environments for socialising opportunities are definitely important, as is mental stimulation.
- Good dog owners: Property checks can prove responsible owners (Other Councils could show statistics for proven/failed methods).
- Menacing Dogs: Should not be dictated by breed, only proven behaviour.
- Public Places: Better layout and more accurate info on the website is needed which shows off lead/on lead/restricted areas. I couldn't find restricted areas on the website. Ongaonga is listed as on lead reserve but it's a pig permit area only (or so I was told). Cycleways and high foot traffic areas should be on lead (respect for non dog owners).
- Welfare: Definitely need more power to step in where dogs are not kept in humane conditions.

Higher fines for the irresponsible dog owners and lower dog registration fees. If that isn't an option perhaps dogs that are not micro chipped & spayed could be a higher amount, micro chipped or spayed only slightly less and dogs that are both micro chipped and spayed the smallest amount.
There is no reason that responsible dog owners should be paying for the irresponsible dog owners roaming dogs & dog impoundment.
If the dog rates are kept the same with the dog population increasing by 5% each year and the human population growing at 1.6% per year it would be great to see more dog only areas.
A dog park would be great at Smiths farm, close enough to the city to use regularly but no neighbours to disturb.
I'm not sure if dog poo is a problem but if the council feels that it is in the areas that they feel it is a problem supplied bags will encourage people to pick up their poo.

Menacing dogs and roamers to be neutered, I think that neutering the dog is a very serious action perhaps very high fines for the first 5 times found per year increasing each time, this can help generate more revenue from the irresponsible owners and neutered the 6th time found in a year.

I feel that if the standards set out about shelter warmth and clean water and food containers are not already in place then they should be!

I think registration fees are very high for dog owners who have well behaved dogs (especially lap/inside dogs). My grandmother remembers when the registration included a decent leather collar and metal tag and I think that should be reinstated. I think that there are some dog owners who are careless as I have come across unrestrained dogs while walking my own dog and the owners have stood idle while their dogs have attempted to be aggressive towards my leashed dog and I'm sure I'm not the only one. There should be more policing of these situations and also should be a way to find dog owners who don't pick up after their dogs. If a dog is aggressive towards other dogs while it is not leashed then people should receive a warning, second time fined, third time dog should be removed. It also sucks that there are not more places/activities to help socialise dogs without the fear of people thinking you own a menacing dog (as some dogs have not had the best start but could have a bright future if exposed to other dogs in a safe manner) for example a place where all dogs must be muzzled to prevent good owners dogs from being attacked by other dogs while they learn the right body language for play.

Dogs being exercised on footpaths & walkways around Tauranga should be on a lead, I'm fed up of seeing dog owners striding ahead of their dogs or vice versa and the inevitable 'dump' gets done by the dog and the owner is blissfully unaware (or aware) and continues walking. It's generally big dogs that are the culprits because they can be exercised for longer & faster if they are unleashed. Little dogs do it too I know.

Hi
I feel there are good restrictions around mount main beach and local surf clubs. Greater restrictions than this are not required.
More bags and bins for dog dirt in key public areas would be good.
The dog park atTECT is a good start but more of these are required in town. Maybe a section in Ferguson park would be good.
Dog fees in Tauranga are high so greater value for the $ is essential.