The South’s three towns each has a dog park of fenced-off open land where owners can take their mutts for exercise. Other than that, dogs must be on leads or in vehicles outside their properties.
But suddenly the South Wairarapa District Council is carrying out a review of its dog controls, the first in a decade. The review, according to the council, is partly after it heard from the community that its ban on dogs in Ngawi, Ngawi Surf Breaks, North Tora, South Tora and Te Awaiti should be reviewed.
So, some minor wording in the policy has been changed “to increase the clarity of the policy,” and three options for dogs in coastal camping areas have been put out for public consultation/feedback _ even if you haven’t heard _ with September 3 the deadline.
The three:
- continue prohibiting dogs in coastal camping areas;
- allow some “off-peak” dog access from, say, April to October _ camp use off-peak times;
- allow dogs in, say, two of the areas for all of the year _ with those two sites designated as being ‘dog friendly.’
Under the current policy, the dog controls state:
Areas where dogs are prohibited (except in a vehicle)
i) Any public building or public place, including any library building, swimming pool, recreation centre, under the control or management of the council.
ii) Any area developed or marked out as a sports field (not including any spectator area) during sporting events, or any outdoor court, skateboard park or cycle park.
iii) On any area that is developed or marked out as a playground or contains children’s play equipment.
iv) Any cemetery.
v) The following coastal camping areas: North Tora, South Tora, Ngawi,Ngawi Surf Breaks, Te Awaiti.
Areas where dogs can be exercised off-leash
- Featherston Dog Park: Corner Johnston Street and Harrison Street West
- Greytown Dog Park: Corner southern end of Cotter Street and Pierce Street
- Martinborough Dog Park: Roberts Street Road Reserve (between Weld Street and Ferry Road)
The consultation notes set out advantages and disadvantages, with an emphasis on no or little change to the current set-up: walk your dog on a leash, have it in a vehicle, use the local dog park, don’t take it camping.
It notes that in the five no-dog coastal areas “there are a low overall level of reported dog related incidents.” Current signage is in place to continue with the prohibition, which also mitigates the risk of disease management on neighboring working farms, like sheep measles.
The disadvantages of the current rules are that visitors arriving at coastal camping areas with dogs, who are unaware of the current policy and bylaw have limited nearby alternatives.
Option 2 notes it allows for the areas to become ‘dog friendly’ during off-peak times of year but “ensures the safety of visitors during busier periods.”
It notes the disadvantages as a potential rise in dog-related incidents, needing increased enforcement and associated costs and the “potential economic impact on neighbouring working farms due to disease management (Example: sheep measles).”
Option 3 allows specific sites to become ‘dog friendly’ year-round, allows “nearby alternatives” for visitors at coastal camping areas with dogs, who are unaware of the current policy and bylaw and provides an opportunity for the community to choose a dog free site.
But it warns of a “potential increase in dog-related incidents, requiring increased enforcement and associated costs.
Dog parks are not portrayed as problem areas, but the literature notes that even clean and well maintained dog parks can pose health risks, in particular the spread of easily communicable diseases.
For example, owners who take their pet to the dog park need to have it vaccinated against kennel cough as well as distemper. It will also need to be vaccinated against leptospirosis, as communal water bowls, puddles and other water features in dog parks can carry leptospira bacteria.
All dogs that visit dog parks should be on flea and tick prevention as well as year-round heartworm prevention. Dogs at dog parks should also be vaccinated against canine influenza (dog flu) that can be transmitted through the air.
There are several infectious diseases that can be transmitted by viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria in a dog park or other outdoor setting.
Deadly viruses like parvovirus and distemper can survive for a year in the soil. Your dog can get an infection if a sick dog visits the park once in recent months.
