Pets to ride city’s trains and buses

Auckland is set to follow Wellington’s lead in allowing pets to ride on the city’s trains and buses. Auckland Council’s planning committee unanimously voted yesterday in favour of a proposal put forward by councillor Cathy Casey, to let pets on all modes of public transport.

The move follows that of the Wellington City Council, which proposed in March that pets be allowed on its buses and trains on the conditions that they be kept in suitable carriers and travelled during off-peak hours.

Instead of growling in public submissions before the vote, people suggested how it could work.

Anne Batley Burton, who chairs the NZ Cat Foundation, suggested there could be a special carriage in a train or a section on certain buses to accommodate pets and keep less animal-friendly people happy.

Dog-owner Toni Millar argued that the fitted wrap she kept on her dog Toby worked better for her in reducing space taken up on the bus and ensuring he behaved.

“He is equally as good in his cage. But for me, to walk on to a bus, that’s a heck of a thing to carry,” she said.

SPCA veterinarian Dr Sarah Zito pointed out that most people’s concerns around pets on public transport were to do with issues relating to hygiene, safety and nuisance.

“We believe that all of these concerns can be well managed by responsible animal guardians,” she said.

Zito said it was important guidelines were laid out, such as “making sure that cats and other small animals are carried in a suitable carrier ... making sure that dogs are on a leash and under control at all times”. “The other thing that could be quite helpful is just to make sure that the person in charge of the animal knows they have the responsibility for cleaning up any mess that it’s caused immediately.”

Throughout the hourlong meeting, the two dogs and one cat inside the council chamber were on their best behaviour, including Suzy.

Casey said one of the dogs, Suzy, would be very well suited to sitting on a bus, asking her where she’d like to go.

It’s now up to Auckland Transport, which is reviewing its policies around carrying pets on public transport.

At present no animals are allowed on the city’s buses and trains but dogs and small animals in cages are allowed on most ferry services.

HWatch the video at nzherald.co.nz