Hello Pat

I will be honest with you in saying that I have not read the policy but I have over the years been a dog owner and agree that there should be times when dogs are allowed to run free provided they are under the control of their owners. I am in favour of all \"poo\" being the responsibilty of the owner to pick up and dispose of and would look at the issue of \"pooper scoopers\" to dog owners and that if they do not use then a fine will be a auto matic issue.

In 2008 the RDC decided that because the original dog control bylaw and dog control policy were first passed in 2004 and allude to daylight savings, the bylaw should apply to the daylight savings period that applied in 2004, when the bylaw was adopted.  This means that dogs are not permitted on beaches between 9am and 7pm from the first Sunday in October until the third Sunday in March.  

I\'m not sure what the \"improved dog policy of 2005\" is.  Just to clarify - I believe that dogs should be allowed on beaches which should be specific areas designated off leash beaches, at all times - as they are now at the Western Reserve - however the signage must be unambiguous and should be very clear about boundaries and owner responsibility.  (This is not currently the case in the Western Reserve at Orewa, where people continue to leave their dogs off leash far past the signs.)

I was approached at a public meeting by a resident who asked what I thought of the rule that dogs must leave beaches before 9.30pm (I think).  I am unaware of this rule, but I don\'t believe it is fair - again, if people have their dogs totally under control, are considerate of others and remove all droppings, I believe that they should be allowed to take them to beaches for all the hours of daylight - whenever that is.

For the record - I am not a dog owner.

Jennifer Kipfer

Hi Pat,

Broadly I am in favour of the existing policy.

The policy is due for review next year as it will be 6 years old (I understand it was adopted in 2011). As part of a review, I am interested to hear if it is too restrictive.

I wonder if there there is a possibility of some designated areas for dogs during the daytime in the summer months? This could possibly be controlled or monitored by some volunteers.

Please do let me know your views.

Kind regards,

Neil 

09 426 8174

I am in favour of the new Dog Policy and will seek to keep it in place.

I have many family/whanau members who own a dog or in fact have 2 dogs and as long as they are being responsible as owners then I see no reason why they cannot have access to beaches and indeed all beaches.

Dogs (like cats) are part of the family makeup so should be given a fair go!