More places for dogs to run around

Dogs who like to have a run around without their leash will be barking for joy. More parks have been approved for dog owners to exercise their pets without a leash. Gisborne District Council reviewed, and asked for submissions on, its Dog Control Policy and Bylaw last year.  

Eighteen submissions were received. A common theme was that Gisborne does not have enough parks and reserves where owners can exercise their pets without a leash. The policy was changed to allow dogs to run unleashed between 6am and 9am daily in fourteen parks in the city. This is in addition to the four parks where dogs can be exercised unleashed at any time. Unleashed dogs can also be exercised on the district’s beaches at any time except during school and public holidays. At all times dogs must be under the control of their owner.

A dedicated dog park was also requested by some submitters. This has been a successful initiative in other cities. It would require fencing off a public space and installing equipment for dogs to run around, jump over and exercise without a lead. This suggestion was agreed to by the Hearings Committee with Ayton Park by the Aberdeen Road Extension suggested as a possible location. It was decided that this proposal should go back to the general public for feedback when Council consults on its Ten Year Plan in March 2012. The Dog Control Policy and Bylaw have now been adopted.

The aim of the both documents is to create a dog friendly city with responsible owners, well mannered dogs and reasonable citizens said Council’s regulatory services manager Sarwan Kumar. “Dog owners are expected to pick up all dropping and dispose of them in a way that does not cause a nuisance. They must register their dogs so Council knows who is responsible for the care of the dog and they must keep the dog under control at all times. This is so it is not a threat or nuisance to neighbours or the public.”

The new policy now provides for special purpose dogs such as guide dogs or police dogs. These dogs receive a lot of training and are unlikely to provide a risk to the public. They can enter public buildings and other prohibited areas.

The area where only one dog can be kept has changed. It was ‘within Gisborne City boundaries’. It is now any ‘urban area’ zoned general residential in the Gisborne Regional Land and District plan. This includes Wainui, Makaraka and all rural townships.

Areas where dogs can be exercised without a leash but under the command of their owners:

1.       Coldstream Road Reserve

2.       All beaches except for school and public holidays

3.       Nelson Park adjacent to footbridge

4.       Heath Johnson Park - strip on Paraone Road side of Park

5.       Ayton Park

6.       Wainui, Kaiti, Waikanae and Midway (to Pacific Street) beaches during school and public holiday’s

Areas where dogs can be exercised without a leash between 6am – 9am or with a leash at any other time:

1.       Alfred Cox Park - dogs belonging to the Dog Obedience Club only

2.       Awapuni Stadium - exercise areas

3.       any road end reserve

4.       Atkinson Park

5.       Centennial Crescent

6.       Wainui, Kaiti, Waikanae and Midway (to Pacific Street) beaches except during school and public holidays

7.       Nelson Park - other than the visual and oral command areas

8.       Kaiti Hill

9.       Reynolds Creek Reserve

10.   Blackpool Street on Childers Road side

11.   London Street Reserve

12.   Waikirikiri Reserve

13.   Grant Road Reserve

14.   Coldstream Road Reserve