Dog fouling fine stressed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 693, 1 July 1997, Page 3

Dog fouling fine stressed

"TP^V og control by-laws for Ruapehu I ■ will more clearly show that a J— $200 fine can be imposed on errant dog owners. That was one of the amendments made last Friday to the draft policy on dogs and Control of Dogs Bylaw, which was adopted by the Ruapehu District Council at their meeting in Taumarunui. Councillors agreed that it needed to be spelt out to dog owners that they could face the $200 fine if, for example, their dog fouls in a public place and the person responsible for the dog does not remove the droppings, or their dog is found on a footpath without being on a leash. Other amendments were: • Dog prohibited areas to include all council-maintained sports fields.

• Owners of problem dogs are to be directed to dog training and obedience clubs and that attending such classes could sometimes be cousidered as an alternative to owners being fined. • The Waimarino Community Board be asked to corisider banning dogs from Seddon Street, Raetihi, between Duncan Street and the Parapara Road. • Dogs must be kept on a leash "on all formed footpaths and on all verges fronting residential streets with developed housing in all urban zones". • Every person commits an offence, being the owner of a dog that enters or remains within 10 metres of any children's play equipment "where no physical barrier (such as a wall or fence) exists between the dog and the play equipment".