Dog control policy now open for discussion

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 683, 22 April 1997, Page 5

Dog control policy now open for discussion

Submissions have been called on the Ruapehu District Council' s recently-released Draft Policy on Dogs. The council is obliged to write a policy, under the new Dog Control Act 1996. The policy outlines the council' s objectives, the obligations of dog owners, and rules governing dogs in public places as well as various fees. Included in the draft is a proposed Control of Dogs Bylaw for Ruapehu. Under the by-law dogs various areas are designated as prohibited areas, exercise areas and leash control areas. There are no prohibited areas in the Waimarino, with only some areas identified in Taumarunui and Ohura. Waimarino dog exercise areas include: the area adjacent to the Mangawhero River and the Carrot Reserve in Ohakune; the reserve next to the Raetihi Camping Ground and the grassed area on the right of the northern exit to Raetihi; and the fenced area at the SH 1 - SH49 intersection. In these areas dogs may be exercised "free of restraint" but "under the continuous control of a person responsible" for the dog. Dogs will have to be kept on a leash at all times within "Leash Control Areas". These areas are: all council reserves; all public places within the commercial and residential zones in towns including Ohakune, Raetihi , Rangataua, National Park, Waiouru, Owhango. Also included is the schedule of Department of Conservation reserves and areas where dogs are not allowed, such as the Whanganui National Park and the Tongariro National Park, unless with a Dog Control Permit. DoC is currently considering identifying areas that could be 'Open Dog. Areas'. A number of other rules are included, such as that dog owners must confine their dog on their property; people must not "behave in such a manner so as to cause a dog to become restive or unmanageable", dogs must not be allowed within 10 metres of any public children's play equipment, or in any sports field area. It wilj be an offence if a dog owner does not remove their dog's droppings from a public place, or premises other than their own property. Dog owners will not be allowed to keep more than two dogs over three months' old, without a special licence. A number of conditions, including having the written approval of neighbours, will be required to get such a licence. A number of submissions had been recei ved prior to the development of the policy. Regulatory manager Nicole Middleton said there was a wide range of opinions, even among the staff working on the policy. Each of the 2500 dog owners in the district will be sent a copy of the draft policy, and invited to make submissions, which close on 30 May.