A renewed Masterton dog policy will increase dog access in some public places and aims to reduce roaming and nuisance incidents.
The proposed policy, which must be reviewed every five years, would be out for consultation until March 21.
The draft policy received unanimous support from Masterton councillors on Wednesday.
Amendments included designating Taranaki St’s park as off-leash to expand accessible dog exercise areas and address the demand for more off-leash areas in urban Masterton.
The Taranaki St park had effective fencing and feedback indicated the area was already used off-leash without issues.
The policy would also clarify on-leash requirements at the northern end of Riversdale Beach, and prohibit dogs from the Castlepoint Beach reef area to protect sensitive wildlife.
The Castlepoint reef was identified in the regional council’s Natural Resource Plan as a significant habitat for native birds, with five threatened or at-risk species frequenting the area.
Feedback to council indicated the reef area was rarely used for dog exercise and the change would not be too disruptive for the community.
There would also be neutering requirements for repeatedly uncontrolled dogs, and clarification that exercising dogs from a moving motor vehicle was not allowed.
Mayor Gary Caffell said he was particularly keen on “making ground on people exercising their dogs through windows of cars”.
“Nothing irritates me more. It is really bad for the dogs.”
The proposed policy also introduced a process for removing the “menacing dog by deed” classification when owners had demonstrated responsible behaviour, and room for council discretion to waive surrender fees in exceptional circumstances.
In a report to elected members, council staff said discretion to waive the surrendering fee encouraged better behaviour around surrendering dogs and prevented potential harm to the dog.
Following the consultation period, a hearing would be held on April 9 and deliberations on April 30.
This would be alongside consultation on the Dangerous, Affected, and Insanitary Buildings Policy.
Following consultation, the council would make amendments if required and consider adoption on May 14.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
