Roaming dogs concern

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 33, 3 February 1987, Page 1

Roaming dogs concern

Raetihi councillor Leigh Ryland is deeply concerned over the number of roaming dogs around the shopping area of Raetihi and has declared a personal war on the offenders.

Cr Ryland expressed her concern at last week's meeting of the Raetihi Borough Council. She told councillors she was not prepared to put up with the problem any longer after witnessing dogs soiling entrances to shops in Raetihi's centre and being distressed by dogs licking her daughter's face while in the main street. Cr Ryland suggested shop owners could be a great help in the role of 'dog spotters' — people who can detain uncontrolled dogs until the dog ranger can be contacted to return the dog to its owner or impound it. Cr Tom Punch maintained that recently more and more people are complaining about roaming dogs in the shopping area but added "some of the owners are out of control so how can you expect their dogs to be in control?" MayorGarrick Workman told the council that the understanding was that dogs are under control when on a lead but noted that only around 5% of dogs on the main street are walked in control by their owners. A suggestion was made about placing signs at each

2nd of town stating that dogs must be walked on a lead or risk impoundment if found roaming. Mayor Workman noted that policing the streets would be the biggest problem, saying the town would probably have a "splurge" which would work for a while but the problem would gradually work its way back in. "It will create a furore that we may live to regret," he said. Cr Ryland said several options were open to council including banning dogs from the town centre whether under control or not, making areas available specifically for exercising dogs, or making it compulsory for the owner of a dog that defacates in a public place to immediately remove the faeces. Cr Ryland said any member of the public can act if they witnessadogcreating an annoyance or causing distress — they may return the dog to its owner or deliver it to the dog ranger. Mayor Workman suggested impounding a few offending dogs to guage the initial reaction but warned councillors about the possible consequences.