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Some Dunedin pet owners visiting St Clair Beach are finding themselves in the dog box.
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.’’