Council seeks dog control views

Calling all dog owners – the Nelson City Council wants your thoughts on proposed changes to its dog control rules.

The council is reviewing its Dog Control Policy and Bylaw. It said the review ‘‘aim[ed] to strike a balance between the wishes of dog owners, the welfare needs of dogs and the wider public’’.

Public submissions are open, and the council is asking for ‘‘the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of both dog owners and non-dog owners’’.

The council’s group manager of environmental management, Clare Barton, said there were about 6000 registered dogs in the city.

‘‘Access to public places where there may be a conflict between dogs and the community, stock, wildlife or the native environment needs to be proactively managed so everyone can enjoy our public spaces,’’ she said.

One major change proposed is the deletion of the Good Dog Owner Policy, which came into effect in 2013 and offers a discount to owners who, among other things, have a neutered pet, have no more than one minor proven complaint, and pay registration fees on time.

The council said the policy was ‘‘not working as it should’’.

Other changes include requiring dogs to be on a leash at the Boulder Bank, Whakatu¯ Drive Foreshore Reserve, Titoki Reserve, and all the council’s grazed reserves except the grazed area of Paremata Flats Reserve.

The planted area of Paremata Flats and the Delaware Estuary margins would be off limits to dogs, but dogs would be allowed off-leash in Monaco Reserve, excluding the playground area.

More details of the changes can be found on the council’s website, at Civic House, or at any public library. Feedback can be made online or by dropping off written submissions at Civic House.

Consultation closes on February 28. The council will hold a hearing on the changes on March 24.