Review of Dog Control Policy & Bylaw
Ōtorohanga District Council has conducted a review of the Ōtorohanga District Dog Control Policy and Bylaw (the Policy) in accordance with the provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996.
The last review of the Policy occurred in October 2010. Council considered that changes were required to areas where dogs were prohibited and dog exercise areas, due to the creation of additional community recreation spaces and increased demand for accessible dog exercise areas within our communities.
These new recreation spaces include the stopbank pathway (Te Ara a Waiwaiā i O-rāhiri), and playgrounds at Reg Brett Reserve and Morrison Road in Aotea. The new pathway has created easy access to parts of the river bank that had previously been disconnected from the community but has now cut across the existing dog exercise area.
Through the review process, Councillors and Community Board members identified the following options for changes to the Policy, including prohibited dog areas and dog exercise areas in Ōtorohanga and Kawhia.
Maniapoto St. That dog owners be allowed to walk through the town centre outside of business hours. Dogs will still be prohibited in the Maniapoto Street central business area from 8am to 6pm.
Reg Brett Reserve. That Reg Brett Reserve, which now contains the Jim Barker Memorial Playground and other amenities, should be a dog prohibited area.
That the current Stopbank exercise area by Maniapoto Street be deleted from the Policy as the pathway runs across this area.
Waipa Esplanade. It is proposed to designate all the old land fill area as a dog exercise area. This field is easily accessed by vehicles, by cycle or on foot. The area is already fenced off and the grass is regularly cropped under the new grass harvesting contract.
Kawhia Foreshore (The Triangle) A sheltered inner harbour beach, easily accessible and popular with locals and holiday makers. Council has received many requests to place a dog prohibited status over this area.
Details of the Policy, including aerial photos of the proposed areas and information are available in the side bar.
