Have your say on dog control

Published on 19 December 2014

19 December 2014

The Wanganui District Council adopted the proposed Dog Control Policy 2015 and the Dog Control Bylaw 2015 at its meeting on December 3 and now invites the public to make submissions. 

Deputy Strategy and Development Manager Jonathan Barrett says the proposed policy aims to improve community safety by reducing the number of unwanted dogs, roaming dogs and dogs likely to attack people and animals.

“The main difference between the existing policy and the proposed policy is that the proposed policy will require dogs to be on a leash at all times in public areas. It also limits dogs to a maximum of three per household in urban areas. The bylaw enforces tougher infringements on dog owners who don’t comply with regulations.”

Mr Barrett says it is important that the public have their say on the proposed documents before they are adopted because of the interest in dog control issues in our community.

“The high levels of community concern around the impact of roaming dogs and recent dog attacks means that we need to harden up in our approach to dog welfare and safety.  This is your chance to have your say and shape how the Council tackles this issue.”

You can make an online submission on the Proposed Dog Control Policy 2015 and the Proposed Dog Control Bylaw 2015, or hard copies of the documents are available at the Davis Central City Library, Gonville Café Library and at the Customer Services Counter at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street.