Dunedin City Council compliance, animal and parking services team leader Peter Hanlin said the beach had ‘‘gone to the dogs recently’’.
‘‘It has been disappointing to see a number of dog owners walking their dogs off-leash at St Clair Beach.’’
Dog owners needed to follow the rules, he said.
The popular beach was a ‘‘dogfree zone’’ between 8am and 8pm.
‘‘There has been an increase in complaints about people walking their dogs in the area over the summer.’’
The warm summer had encouraged more people to visit the beach, he said.
Some dog owners might be unaware they were breaching a bylaw by bringing their pet to the beach.
‘‘We have increased patrols in the area, but at this stage we’re taking an education approach rather than enforcement.’’
Related Stories
Comments
Dogs again. A friend of mine who is a cop for city of Calgary, Alberta, said dogs accounted for over 60% of ALL problem calls in that city.
Selfish dog owners who don’t care.
We stopped walking the beach as we got fed up of dogs on the loose running up to us and the owners saying...ooo he won’t hurt you!!
We dont want dogs bounding towards us and sniffing us out.
I blame the DCC for not being strict enough to be honest as they have let it get bad without fining people.
Then we have the “oh but I live here bunch “ who walk along the esplanade with dogs not on a lead.
it’s been out of control for a while and rather than see the DCC dog van cruising round it’s time they took action.
yes, my pet ( or not ) hate.