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Summary of decisions on Policy and Bylaw on Dogs# B" C9 _5 z! l
What are the main changes that happen on 1 July 2013?$ \) K+ J1 P/ e
A single policy and bylaw on dogs to keep dogs as a positive part of Auckland life.* E2 }6 T) a( s8 O* h
A focus on responsible dog ownership, dog welfare, community education, dog safe access to
5 a+ S" @4 g/ {" U9 {public places, registration, and dog safe communities.
& V0 P i1 }- v0 h! x, A4 u* M Ability for local boards to decide dog access rules on local parks and local beaches.
+ x' Q! w/ ~0 x$ n F, |4 e- \ c Region-wide dog access rules that include:
* k8 _8 h9 e) k3 J0 T0 ao Allowing dogs under control on a leash on footpaths, town centres, car parks, boating& y6 u$ z1 Z. i5 I# K% i4 G3 x% z
areas, shared driveways, and in the vicinity of playgrounds and sports surfaces when in
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o Prohibiting dogs on playgrounds and sports (playing) surfaces, although the current
1 b1 I5 Y& N( d) m, J0 M; o0 {) }exemptions that allow dogs on grass sports fields will continue to apply on Glover Park,. k/ N. h. `7 z4 [5 s
Madills Farm, Shore Road Reserve, Thomas Bloodworth Park, Onetangi Sports Park,
& Z0 `5 @6 l% r1 Mand on sports fields in the former Franklin district.
/ @8 c4 x) t$ ~/ D) Y Dog access rules on regional parks and associated beach and foreshore areas aligned to9 r0 Y% G) ?& a" g/ I% t
implement the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010. This includes allowing dogs under# l- G: \: V3 m) Q
control off-leash in the open areas of Kakamatua Inlet (including beach), allowing dogs under$ _8 ^2 X3 L: q
control on a leash on Long Bay Beach south of Vaughan’s Stream from 10.00am to 6.30pm
9 }0 m3 h5 F2 q8 x! l1 D3 eduring daylight saving, and prohibiting dogs from tracks within the Cascades Kauri Ark-in-the-
& B% m( \2 B/ k2 o9 fPark area of the Waitakere Ranges., i$ J8 ~" Y( Y2 e+ C
Region-wide rules requiring immediate picking up and appropriate disposal of dog faeces,5 V9 k1 D5 w9 {) i( N/ O* k
requirement of a license to keep multiple dogs on premises, and to prohibit dogs in heat from
9 O% O q+ P% U, U- i# Fpublic places and shared driveways.$ L& O4 G; W% c. p! B
Compliance and enforcement activity that focuses on dog registration, seizure and holding of- L; f( `4 A9 K! I
dogs that are a threat to public safety, classification of dangerous and menacing dogs, and desexing) g/ H$ B2 I. ~. V5 L) |
dangerous, menacing and uncontrolled dogs.
. M+ [5 j- R/ ], T3 NWhat about requests for changes to dog access rules on specific parks and beaches, and
, B+ W+ Y" e* C+ u( L8 Xtime and season dog access rules?
/ o, x! M& u6 {9 ?; cA new approach to deciding dog access to parks and beaches will also start in 2013. Dog access
# [, a) J* i" n9 |5 \decisions will be made by local boards for local parks and beaches, and by the Parks, Recreation# c# _2 ~8 K% H$ O7 u& V3 s
and Heritage Forum for parks and beaches of regional significance. Submissions requesting
# m( \. o. w% V0 X$ Zchanges to dog access rules will be referred to local boards and the forum to consider using the: z. ]6 q! C5 w8 l4 x' z
new decision-making principles, criteria and guidance.# O2 A9 x4 B" W, R: Z; h8 i
One of the new criteria – raised by the majority of submissions - are standard times and seasons to1 p+ f f0 S9 X9 W/ z
be used wherever a time and season dog access rule is used on a beach. The decision was to
. P6 ?. k& b# @: x% yadopt a standard summer beach time and season of 10am and 5pm, Labour Weekend to 1 March,7 j3 s, n! B" X
and to exempt its application on Hauraki Gulf islands (including Waiheke Island and Great Barrier
q6 r' ]- |% k2 DIsland).
6 b" `! j- I( U# MHowever, the new standard summer time and season will not be in effect until the forum and
8 s0 H3 E- _! a Z+ Klocal boards have reviewed all beach dog access rules in each area. The review will identify the
$ d5 `2 D" d. \: C/ _* p( wmost appropriate mix of dog access rules for our beaches. This might mean that the new summer5 O6 N% f, k/ U& T5 D s3 f
times and season will apply to some beaches, while for other beaches dogs may be allowed under2 z! h$ \3 q& ^2 e% n: ]1 K# E9 O! X
control off a leash at all times. The need to carry out this review and work out the best way to
u$ Q+ x* V/ d: ~" Qmanage the safe interaction between people and dogs means that until those decisions are made/ I+ m( C% N# @% _6 i! k
the current dog access rules (which use a mixture of times and dates across Auckland) will" ^6 [2 V- i6 l; t- w4 c% a
continue to apply, and not the standard summer time and season of 10am and 5pm, Labour# ]! Q$ Z- z; p8 ~8 n" p% q0 k7 A
Weekend to 1 March.3 b& F6 w6 W$ q4 y3 `
Consideration of possible changes to dog access rules on beaches and specific parks will start in- p7 f- p/ V& x
2013. Any proposed changes will be publicly notified for submissions, and hearings will be
% A0 r) S& C8 P+ O$ I# X5 {conducted by the relevant delegated authority before a final decision is made. |