The Department of Conservation is upholding what it says is a long-standing policy of not allowing dogs on Quarantine Island.
Programme manager, community relations, for the Otago coastal area David Mules said yesterday he was "saddened" by retiring island caretaker Kathy Morrison's comments in yesterday's Otago Daily Times she was leaving partly because Doc had decided to make the island a dog-free zone and she could not keep her pointer-labrador cross pup Cherokee there.
Those comments were misleading, Mr Mules said, as Doc's policy of not allowing dogs on the island had been in place for some time.
The island had also had dog-free status under Dunedin City Council dog control bylaws for about five years, for about three years under the statement of intent written by the St Martins Island Community, of which Ms Morrison is a member.
The community has leased the island since 1958.
"The lease . . . also requires prior consent from the department before animals can be introduced on to the island. Despite these clear instructions, Kathy still chose to bring her dog on to the island. It is quite misleading, and disappointing, for it to be implied that the department unilaterally made these rulings after the arrival of her dog," Mr Mules said.
Ms Morrison had contacted Doc saying she had the opportunity to buy a pup and making a case to be able to keep it on the island he said.
About three weeks later, while Doc was still considering her request, she said she had already purchased the dog.
Mr Mules said Doc and the St Martins community had had a very good working relationship since Doc was formed in 1987 and that would continue.
"Kathy has been a very good resident caretaker on the island over the past 12 years and we wish her well for her new life on the mainland."
Ms Morrison could not be contacted for comment last night.
