Please respect that not everybody likes dogs

SADLY I have seen a number of articles on dog attacks this year and, because I care, I wish to reiterate the following educational fact.

In the Dog Control Act 1996, under the ‘‘obligations of dog owners’’ is this: ‘‘To take all reasonable steps to ensure that the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person’’.

This purely and simply means to control your dog effectively — for example, putting your dog on a lead where bylaws/signage require and being responsible and considerate towards others.

From ACC statistic information there have been thousands of dogbite injuries that have occurred in public places in New Zealand. From 2013 to 2017 there were more than 7000 that occurred in a road or street area.

Also, if a dog intimidates, injures, or distresses a person, then the owner/ caretaker of the dog needs to be respectful and apologise to the victim immediately. Do not minimise the value of the ability to say sorry. Not everyone wants a dog near them and that is their right.

Dogs are an important part of some people’s lives, but many other people have different passions. Please remember and respect this.

Wendy Baker

Nightcaps

Harbour fireworks event?

HOW about a Dunedin fireworks event from a barge on Otago Harbour? Lately the harbour has been like a mirror with light reflecting off it, and looks simply stunning.

Some years ago there was a fireworks event on the harbour and it was such a great family/community event.

It would be timely to have another celebration like this, to acknowledge and welcome the new plans/update of the harbour basin.

There are multiple viewing venues to watch the display from all over the city.

With the option of food trucks along Portsmouth Dr with their yummy menus, and school performances and dancing, it would be a truly family event and a really beautiful welcome to summer. Marcheline Novak

Macandrew Bay