Is your city or town dog friendly?

by Rochelle

I think I live in the least dog-friendly city ever to exist. Wellington City Council would beg to disagree with me however, citing that they currently have over 40 'Woof Woof Ruff' dog exercise areas, specifically built and maintained for the enjoyment of all dogs and their owners in Wellington - but with either no or inadequate fencing, no or inadequate numbers of rubbish bins, and not one light in any of the parks for safety after dark.

The City Council was presented with a petition signed by over 400 people (and that's just the number who signed their e-petition) one year ago, requesting that lighting be installed in dog exercise areas, for the safety of the public as well as the dogs. No action has been made on this (yet).

There has been recent debate here on the responsibilities dog owners face for owning a dog in the Wellington City Council governance. One of the debates is regarding a very popular dog-accessible area close to where I live - the Karori Cemetery. Many dog owners take their dogs here for exercise. The current status of the Cemetery is that dogs are allowed in the grounds anytime, on lead only. Many dog owners want this rule to change, and a petition has even begun which is asking for the Council to consider making Karori Cemetery accessible for off lead exercise during weekday mornings.

The latest proposal that the Council has put forward is to fine dog owners & walkers $300 if they are seen walking a dog and do not have a doggy poo bag and/or dispenser with them on their trip. It is commendable that the Council want people to take responsibility for their pet's messes, but I don't think threatening people with an excessive fine will stop those irresponsible owners from doing what they have no doubt always done. And, how on earth do they propose to police this? I can't see 8,500 Council members shadowing the same amount of registered dogs during each and every walk they go on. Which begs the question, what about those unregistered dogs?

A possibly positive piece of news to come from the Council's meeting is the proposal to either develop or build a dog park with rubbish receptacles, water stations, fences and perhaps (let's hope) even lighting. A 'destination dog park' you might say, for all dog owners to take their dogs to. That is definitely something that Wellington is sorely missing.

The Council has recently met to discuss the WCC dog control bylaw and will be opening recommendations, suggestions and debates to the general public from June onwards. It will be interesting to hear what comes of this.

Tell us about your dog exercise areas and Council initiatives to help dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs. What are you allowed to do? What can't you do? Where is the best place to exercise your dog?