New Dog Rules Unleashed

People walking their dogs in urban areas of Hastings District will need to keep their pet on a lead from December 1 2009, unless they are in one of 23 off-lead areas established by council.

In August Hastings District Council adopted a change to the Dog Control Bylaw which puts restrictions on where people can legally let their dogs run off the lead.

Councillor Mandy Kimber says the new rules aim to reduce the chances of dog attacks on animals and people.

“Many people feel frightened when confronted by a dog running free. Over the past three years animal control officers have dealt with more than 3,000 incidents involving dogs that have not been under adequate control, including dogs attacking people and other animals.

“The proposals aim to encourage dog owners to control their dogs properly and to reduce the number of dog attacks.”

Along with the new on-lead rules, the bylaw formalises 23 walking areas around the district suitable for exercising dogs off the lead. These areas can be found on council’s website at http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/dog-exercise-areas

The new rules also require dogs to be secured in or on vehicles when in urban areas and to be on a lead while being walked on the Rotary Pathways and stopbanks, children’s playgrounds and sports fields (unless otherwise declared).

Council will soon send all 3700 dog owners registered in Hastings a booklet which includes maps of the dog walking areas and rules that relate to dogs in the district.

Cr Kimber says for the first few months dog control officers will be patrolling popular walking areas to let dog walkers know their obligations, before they begin more strict enforcing of the rules next year.