Heaphy said wildlife was present in those areas year-round, not just seasonally.<\/p>\n
Department of Conservation (DoC) project lead of biodiversity, Paul Heaphy. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always got seals,\u201d Heaphy said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI took photos of a juvenile seal at the base of Moturiki<\/a> (Leisure Island) several years ago, subsequently killed by a dog.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was outside of that season.\u201d<\/p>\n Heaphy said burrow-nesting seabirds also nested near Moturiki outside the dotterel season in winter.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, penguins moult in January, February, and March.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs are banned in Shark Alley from August 1 to January 31, and must be leashed at other times. They are prohibited year-round on Mauao, Mount Maunganui Main Beach and Moturiki (Leisure Island).<\/p>\n \u201cThat 31st August to 1st January doesn\u2019t cut it in our respect for wildlife protection,\u201d Heaphy said.<\/p>\n Wentsch said dog attacks were a problem nationwide for koror\u0101 (blue penguins).<\/p>\n Wentsch said she would encourage the council to require leash use in certain areas and classify special ecological areas based on wildlife choosing to use that habitat.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we say \u2018no\u2019 to one area, we have to open up other areas. It\u2019s not just about protecting wildlife, it\u2019s also about protecting other people and other dog owners on the beach from having negative off-leash experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Heaphy and Wentsch suggested there should be dog rangers in areas with restrictions to enforce the bylaws.<\/p>\n Targeted changes<\/p>\n The council was presented findings and options from a review of its Dog Management Policy and Bylaw and Keeping of Animals Bylaw.<\/p>\n Council policy analyst Vicky Grant-Ussher said the current bylaw approach was that dogs in parks and reserves should be allowed off-leash unless there was a good reason.<\/p>\n \u201cFor some spaces it\u2019s to do with wildlife, for other spaces like \u014ct\u016bmoetai P\u0101 it\u2019s to do with the value of that site \u2026 and in playgrounds there is a 10-metre buffer around the play space.\u201d<\/p>\n Areas the council was considering requiring leashes included some city centre public spaces and shared pathways in Mount Maunganui and P\u0101p\u0101moa. <\/p>\n It was also considering prohibiting dogs from play and exercise spaces such as skate parks, basketball courts, and fenced areas used for accessibility and inclusion purposes. <\/p>\n Grant-Ussher said dog owners could use other spaces nearby.<\/p>\n The council discussed a recommendation that dogs be prohibited in all cemeteries and burial grounds, unless permitted by the cemetery manager.<\/p>\n Councillor Hautapu Baker said he did not support dogs being allowed in cemeteries or burial grounds.<\/p>\n \u201cI would hate the idea that some random dog p***ed or s**t near a family member\u2019s grave,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Councillor Rick Curach disagreed, saying some dogs were like family members and would be valued as support at cemeteries and burial grounds, and suggested a leash rule instead.<\/p>\n Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale said he did not want the bylaws to overcomplicate things. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we want to make it complicated, but there is just thinking about the practicalities.\u201d<\/p>\n The council also discussed options for the number of dogs allowed per property, licensing dog walkers to walk more than four dogs, the number of poultry allowed per residential property and provisions to address issues with cats.<\/p>\n Following the councillors\u2019 decisions, council staff will prepare proposals for the draft bylaws and policies for the council to consider early next year. <\/p>\n More education needed – dog expert <\/p>\n Roma Dog Behaviour owner Misha Gildenberger told SunLive the council should focus less on creating new restrictions, and more on educating dog owners about dog management and control.<\/p>\n The P\u0101p\u0101moa<\/a> dog walker and dog behaviourist said she understood the need for rules around cemeteries, burial sites, and special ecological areas, but disagreed with more restrictions for other public parks and spaces.<\/p>\n She said piling on rules would not solve the overarching issue and would punish good dog owners. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a very good dog owner, and I have excellent control of my dog because I\u2019ve been educated.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of stopping the fun for everyone, they should just provide more education.\u201d<\/p>\n She was happy the council would consider licensing dog walkers to walk more than the city\u2019s maximum of four dogs, which she had campaigned for<\/a>.<\/p>\n Council regulatory and community services general manager Sarah Omundsen said providing education and advice on being a good dog owner was an important part of the work the council\u2019s Animal Services team did, and would continue to be important through any changes.<\/p>\n Western Bay Wildlife Trust koror\u0101 ranger and acting chairwoman Anna Wentsch. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council general manager of regulatory and community services, Sarah Omundsen, policy analyst Vicky Grant-Ussher and animal services team leader Oscar Mossop. Photo \/ Ayla Yeoman<\/p>\n
Misha Gildenberger believes adding bylaws was the wrong idea and education was the key. Photo \/ Debbie Griffiths<\/p>\n