Have your say on changes to dog rules

Mahurangi residents and dog owners have just under three weeks left to have their say on proposals that include limiting the number of dogs that can be walked by one person and creating stricter dog access rules at several local reserves, beaches and regional parks.

Feedback on Auckland Council’s latest review of dog policy and bylaws is open until February 23, with a number of online and in-person sessions with staff and elected members, as well as online forms, email, post and phone options.

The main changes being proposed are limiting the number of dogs a person can walk at any one time to a maximum of six, of which no more than three can be off-leash.

Council also wants to change dog access rules in 14 regional parks and 64 local reserves and beaches across Auckland.

Locally, this would mean limited changes at Mahurangi, Te Arai and Pakiri Regional Parks, most notably council falling in with an existing dog ban on Pakiri Beach already imposed by local landowners.In addition, there would be more significant changes to dog access rules at four local reserves and beaches to prevent the spread of kauri dieback and protect vulnerable and endangered birds, as follows:

Parry Kauri Park, Warkworth – change from dogs being allowed off-leash to having to be on-leash at all times, to prevent dogs going off-track and spreading kauri dieback.

Snells Beach – change from dogs being prohibited on the beach north of Sunburst Reserve boat ramp during certain times/seasons and on-leash at other times, to dogs being prohibited at all times, and on-leash in all adjoining reserves, to protect endangered shorebirds.

Vera Reserve, Baddeleys Creek Reserve and Pigeon Place accessway, Baddeleys Beach – change from being off-leash to on-leash at all times, to protect kiwi moving into the area from Tāwharanui Regional Park.

Wonderview Road esplanade/coastal walkway, Leigh – reduce access from off-leash to on-leash, to protect blue penguins nesting along the coastline.

Council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee chair, Councillor Josephine Bartley, said the changes aimed to strike a fair balance for everyone who used Auckland’s public places.

“The changes being put forward aim to keep a good mix of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces so there are places for dogs, and anyone who is not a dog person, to enjoy. This will also help to protect vulnerable wildlife, like endangered shorebirds nesting on our beaches, and kauri in specific places,” she said.

“This aims to respond to concerns in a way that’s fair and reasonable, without imposing unnecessary restrictions. Ultimately, everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit Auckland’s parks, beaches and public spaces – this is at the heart of these proposals.”

Bartley added that she knew this was a topic that people were passionate about and testing the proposals via public consultation was key to making sure council had it right.

“If this is important to you, I strongly encourage you to have your say online, or at one of the many engagement events being held across the region,” she said.

The proposals also intend to make council’s dog policy and bylaw clearer, including the need for any dogs classified as menacing and dangerous to be neutered if they move into the region, rules and exemptions for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, plus dog access rules for places such as council car parks and camping grounds.

The suggested changes had been shaped by early feedback from Aucklanders, interviews with groups and individuals with an interest in dog rules, and analysis of relevant data, including complaints to council, animal management service requests and dog registrations, council said.

For full details on the existing dog policy, the proposed changes, feedback options and engagement opportunities, visit https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dog-policy-bylaw-and-access-rules or email dogsbylawreview@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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Relevant dog rule engagement sessions

Please note that to attend any of these, registration is required at least three business days before each event. The online registration form can be found here: https://shorturl.at/TARAx

Feb 11
7-8pm
Online dog policy, bylaw and regional parks stakeholder session

Feb 12
1.30-2.30pm
Have Your Say session, Rodney local dog access rules, Rodney Local Board Office, 296 Main Road, Kumeū

6.30-8pm
Online session on dog policy, bylaw, regional parks and local dog access rules. Staff will provide a short presentation and answer questions.