Dog pound overhaul cost doubles

REDEVELOPING Oamaru’s dog pound is set to cost nearly double last year’s estimate because of upgrades proposed for the facility.

The Waitaki District Council’s heritage, environment and regulatory committee this week recommended the council approve a budget of $151,120 to redevelop the Chelmer St facility.

In March last year, council officers recommended an $82,000 upgrade.

Mayor Gary Kircher said the upgrades proposed in council environmental services manager Jason Evered’s report to the committee would mean ‘‘improvements for the animals and staff’’.

Inclusion of a quarantine kennel, building of office space for the council’s animal control officer, installation of heating and cooling systems for animal welfare, construction of a secure outdoor run for dangerous dogs, increased security, installation of a washing machine and drier on site, and enclosing the open roof section had added to the cost.

When options for relocating the dog pound were considered 12 months ago, costs were more than $200,000.

However, an animal behaviour specialist advised that problems with animal welfare could be mitigated through improvements at the site.

Cr Jan Wheeler said since the budget had increased significantly she wanted the pound location reconsidered for futureproofing, especially in relation to dangerous dogs which should be kept further from residential areas.

Council heritage, environment and regulatory manager Lichelle Guyan said the the council had not found a suitable relocatable building.

The dog pound houses roughly 100 stray or lost dogs for an average of two to four nights a year.