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?

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?