New Dog Laws to Protect Hastings Public

Dog owners will be required to keep their dogs on a lead in public urban areas in Hastings District from December 1, under new rules passed by the Hastings District Council yesterday.

The Dog Control Bylaw 2009 will give more teeth to existing dog control rules, but will also give dog owners a greater selection of off-lead areas where they may let their dog run free legally.

The Council accepted the bylaw in principle in May after receiving 800 submissions on the changes, but asked for amendments to ensure the bylaw did not affect rural areas.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says the bylaw is designed to ensure dog owners have physical control of their dog to increase safety to the public.

“Many people feel frightened when confronted by a dog running free. Over the last 12 months there were 70 dog attacks on people, 81 on animals and 116 complaints about dogs rushing at people. Requiring dogs to be on leash and under the physical control of the owner or person in charge will go a long way to reducing these incidents.”

The bylaw identifies 23 off-lead areas throughout the district; ten areas were added to an initial 13 after calls from the public for more choice.

The bylaw and maps showing the approved off-lead exercise areas will be made available on Council’s website when finalised.