Dog policy: have your say

The Wellington City Council draft Dog Policy is available for consultation.  The Council is keen to hear from the public whether this Policy achieves an appropriate balance between the needs of people who own dogs and those who don’t. Submissions close 7th August 2009 at 5:00pm

Detail about the policy and how to make a submission

The associated Animals Bylaw supports changes made in the Policy. Submissions on this document are also due on the 7th August.

Changes in the policy

Key changes in the Policy are:

• Introduction of new objectives that recognise the benefits of dog ownership
• Creation of 5 new dog exercise areas, a dog destination park and the extension of existing dog exercise areas
• Increased access to the central city for dogs and their owners to allow better access to the waterfront
• Increased access to Island Bay, Seatoun and Worser Bay beaches
• Restricted access to Kaiwharawhara and Arthur Carmen Parks and no off lead access to Karori Cemetery (access still allowed on lead)
• Dogs to be banned from the grass area in Waitangi Park

Feedback is particularly welcome on whether dogs and their owners should have greater or less access to the city and beaches, the adequacy of the city’s dog exercise areas and whether the Policy adequately protects the welfare of the city’s animals.

Making submissions

There are several ways to make submissions.:

• submit online (using the links above),
• e-mail the submission to policy.submission@wcc.govt.nz,
• fill out the feedback form at the back of the consultation document or post it to Wellington City Council at Freepost PO Box 2199, Wellington.

It is also possible to make an oral submission to Council.  Hearings will be in September.  Council is encouraging people to make their voices heard on this issue.

For more information

Contact Councillor Iona Pannett, Council spokesperson on Dogs:
phone 04 384-3382 or 021-227-8509
email: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz.