Not too long left for WCC's draft dog policy

Submissions for the new Draft Dog Policy for residents of Wellington City Council's suburbs close on the 7th August (next Friday).

For those residents who want to have a say regarding this proposed new policy, please see the Council's website here.

In summary, the Council proposes the following changes:

• five new off-leash dog exercise areas
• improved access for dogs and their owners to the waterfront through the central business district
• a proposal for a destination dog park
• new provisions for Responsible Dog Owner status
• criteria to determine the need to neuter menacing dogs
• new policy objectives that recognise the positive community health benefits of owning a dog.

There are also some important changes being proposed to the current dog parks available to WCC residents, so it is worth checking out their dog exercise area maps here.

It is important to note that there is no mention in the Dog Policy Proposal document of making dog exercise areas safer or more accessible to dog owners and walkers by installing lighting or watering stations, increasing the number of rubbish bins or improving access to the areas. These are the key things I think are of most importance to dog owners in Wellington City.

To make a submission to Council (and oral submissions are encouraged as they "will carry weight with councillors" according to Councillor Iona Pannett), see the details on the Council's website.

Councillor Pannett also welcomes discussions with interested residents - her contact details are listed below.

Iona Pannett
Associate Social Portfolio leader and Wellington City Councillor (Lambton Ward)
Address: 27 Caroline Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011
Telephone: 384-3382 (work)/021-227-8509 (mobile)
E-mail: iona.pannett@wcc.govt.nz

What do you want to see done with Wellington City Council's dog exercise areas?