Dog bylaw, policy approved

An increasing number of dog attacks on people and roaming dogs has been reflected in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's dog control bylaw and dog control policy. The council yesterday approved both the bylaw and policy, which clearly outlines where dogs are to be kept on leashes.

A total of 98 submissions were received on the proposed bylaw and policy, the primary matter raised relating to the areas where dogs were permitted, on or off leashes, across the district.

The Queenstown Gardens, Queenstown Hill, Queenstown Beach and all cemeteries, playgrounds and other public places were all designated as places where dogs were allowed on leashes.

Dogs were permitted off leashes in areas designated as ''dog exercise areas'' and the rural general zone - unless that area was a playground or cemetery.

Regulatory manager Lee Webster said while in the past financial year there had been a slight reduction in the number of complaints about roaming dogs, it remained the biggest issue with 337 complaints.

There had also been a ''significant increase'' in the number of dog attacks on people - a 216% rise from six to 19.

That was reflected in a 137% increase in the number of dogs classified as menacing, from eight to 19, and a 117% increase in the number of infringements issued for dogs not being under control or confined, from 17 to 37, Mr Webster said.

''When an attack occurs on a person or animal, the incident can be extremely distressing for all parties and it is imperative that there is a fast response to such matters.

''Over the last year, we have seen an increase in the overall number of attacks from 24 to 46, which has generated a significant demand for the animal control service, which has led to a corresponding increase in the number of dog classifications issued,'' Mr Webster said.

Of those 46 incidents, six occurred on council-controlled tracks or reserves where the dogs were not on leads.

While the number of registered dogs had increased only 4% (146 dogs), the number of complaints had risen 21%, from 743 to 900.

That could be attributed to the community acknowledging poor behaviour on the part of dog owners was not acceptable and reporting it to the council, Mr Webster said.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement