Dogs owners encouraged to use leads

17 April 2013

Dogs in public places should be on leads unless they are in an approved off lead area. That is the message from Waipa District Council following a noticeable increase in the number of dogs let to roam free around the district.

Planning and Regulatory Manager Wayne Allan said unless an area was specified as a dog exercise area where dogs could be off lead, leads should be used in all public places.

Even dogs off lead in an exercise area need to be under effective voice control, he said.

The council had become aware of an increase in dogs been off lead in a number of places, including the Lake Ngaroto walkway, and the Montefiore Walkway in Factory Road, Te Awamutu.

Staff had been actively issuing warnings where appropriate in an effort to raise awareness, and signage was being installed in other problem spots.

Owners could also receive infringement notice fines, if found to be breaching the bylaw.

Other issues in relation to the Montefiore Walkway included owners not picking up their dog's faeces, leaving it on sports fields and others using school rubbish bins instead of the dog faeces bins provided at each end of the track.

This track runs across a combination of public and private land, and people exercising dogs are asked to show respect to the relevant land owners, said Mr Allan.

Dogs are allowed off lead at the Montefiore Reserve itself, but not on the public areas of the walking track, he said.

New signage installed recently in the area has also been vandalised.

Ultimately it is dog owners who pay for signage through their dog registration fees, and we would appreciate any information the public may have in regard to those responsible.

There seems to be a small number of people who think if there isn't a sign they can do what they like, but that's not the case. The bylaw applies with or without signs and owners need to be aware what area they are in and the restrictions that apply.