''It's a hot topic,'' the chairwoman of the council's customer services committee, Cr Kathy Dennison, said yesterday when it considered finalising the bylaw after examining 82 public submissions and then working through key issues at a workshop last month.
The bylaw will get final approval at the council meeting on September 17.
Contentious issues have always been where dogs are allowed, when they have to be on leads and where they can be off leads.
Now, owners have more options, with additions to exercise areas now including Fenwick Park South, Awamoa Park East, Cape Wanbrow, Glen Eden Reserve, Berkeley Place Park and Glen Warren Reserve in Oamaru, the Kurow Railway Reserve Sefton Lane Reserve in Otematata and Omarama Recreation Reserve (east end).
There are also more areas where dogs can be taken on leads, but between 7pm and 8am, including Oamaru's central business district, sports fields and cemetery areas.
However, owners also have to take more responsibility.
When they have their dogs out, they have to carry a suitable container for dog faeces; menacing dogs have to be neutered and all dogs over 3 months of age (excluding working dogs) microchipped.
Responsible dog ownership will be encouraged by the council through education initiatives covering topics such as obligations, dog welfare, where dogs can be taken in public places, dog exercise etiquette, implications of impoundment and how to deal with barking dogs.
Owners of dogs in urban areas will require a permit to have more than three working dogs on their property and their responsibilities for barking dogs will be clarified.
Charging the same fee for working dogs, farm pets and selected owners or dogs - at present $18, $20 and $25 respectively - was discussed.
Cr Hugh Perkins felt that would remove the main conflict with dog owners when they came in to pay their annual dog registration fees.
However, any final decision on that will have to wait until September 17, when staff will report on the financial implications and possible fees.
