Coastal walkway dog ban opposed
A council proposal to keep dogs off some of Auckland’s coastal walkways has the support of Forest & Bird.
The move would see all dogs even those on a leash - banned from Harbourview-Orangihina Reserve and much of the coast around the Te Atatu peninsula in a bid to protect the wildlife.
The behaviour of some dog owners have been spoiling it for everybody else, and uncontrolled dogs have been trampling eggs and chasing rare sea birds, threatening the ecosystem.
With many coastal walkways in our district, we asked our Rodney neighbourhoods how they felt about a dog ban in a Neighbourly poll.
Of 98 voters, 69.4 per cent opposed a ban.
Melanie Best of Stanmore Bay says dog owners should step up and take responsibility.
‘‘Why can’t we do both? Why can’t owners of dogs keep them under control where birds are? If you ban dogs from these wonderful places you also lose their owners.’’
‘‘Let’s be responsible for ours, our children’s and our dog’s behaviour like sensible people. If your dog chases birds, keep them on a lead. If your dog can be controlled, let them roam free.’’
Sonya Greatrex of Army Bay suggested the council build more dog parks where dogs can run off leash.