Keep dogs away from Wither Hills Farm Park stock

Council Environment Committee chairman Peter Jerram is asking dog owners to be guided by common sense and keep their dogs away from the stock on the Wither Hills Farm Park regardless of current Council bylaws.

The current bylaw allows dogs, on their leash, in part of the Wither hills Farm Park Wither Hills Farm Park, on the Gentle Annie and Rotary lookout track area and the associated access from the Taylor Pass Road car park.

However, Mr Jerram says a conflict between existing policy and the bylaw has emerged and, while that is being resolved, dog-owners are asked not to take dogs onto these tracks.

The existing bylaw also allows dogs on a leash in the town centres of Blenheim and Picton.

The Council’s animal control sub-committee is reviewing the entire bylaw.

Members of the public will get a chance to express their views on the recommendation made by the animal-control subcommittee before the Council makes a decision on the matter.

Councillor Jerram, who chairs the subcommittee, says dog-owners, retailers and members of the public will want to have their say because opinions vary widely. But in the meantime he is adamant that dogs must not be taken into areas where livestock are grazing.

“I know the bylaw says dogs can be walked on these two tracks inside the Farm Park but I think all responsible dog-owners know that pet dogs and farm stock don’t mix,” said Mr Jerram.

“I realise that some dog owners have welcomed the news that they can take their dogs up the hill but if they stop and think about it I would hope they realise the risks. I don’t know many farmers who’d welcome members of the public bringing their dogs into their paddocks of stock,” he said.

Mr Jerram says dog owners already have a large, central area to let their dogs off the leash; on the banks of the Taylor River, from town right up to the Taylor Dam, but the sub-committee will also be looking at other areas which may be suitable for exercising dogs.

The Marlborough District Council bylaw as it currently stands bans dogs from these areas only:

• All public playgrounds and swimming pools, sportsgrounds, cemeteries and war memorials
• Wither Hills Farm Park (dogs are allowed only on the Gentle Annie and Rotary lookout track area and the associated access from the Taylor Pass Road car park).
• Churchward Park and Collins Memorial Deer Park at Koromiko (allowed in picnic area only)
• The Picton foreshore area, including the newly developed commercial area
• The grassed area of Shelley Beach and the grassed area and foreshore between the slipway and the jetty at Waikawa Bay.