Don To\u2019o, acting area manager Waitemat\u0101 & \u014cr\u0101kei (Parks and Community Facilities) said the council was unaware of any gap in the fencing in the designated fenced-off area in the reserve where dogs can enjoy time off-leash.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will visit the site this week to assess this and carry out any repairs if necessary. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to the existing permanent fencing around this area, this area is currently completely enclosed with temporary fencing as part of a renewal project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Linton-Brown and his wife had been away on a trip to Australia when they received the news of every dog owner\u2019s worst nightmare from a friend who was looking after Lollipop. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe come back on Wednesday, and I looked at my text on the plane to find out Lollipop had gone missing.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday night, the friend had taken Lollipop for a walk and had assumed the park was fully enclosed, as there were no visible signs at any entrance to the dog park warning dog owners, he said. <\/p>\n
The friend didn\u2019t want to spoil their holiday, so she told them on the following day, when there was still no sign of the pooch. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s taken the blame for something that she shouldn\u2019t be,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll she was doing was taking Lollipop for a walk and unfortunately, I feel Lollipop was trying to find her way home.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Lollipop was eventually found dead along Great North Rd on Friday after an extensive community-wide search. <\/p>\n
Linton-Brown said she may have been there for a while after being hit in the head by a car. <\/p>\n
\u201cAt least she\u2019s gone quickly, but it didn\u2019t need to happen whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m furious about this\u2019<\/p>\n
Linton-Brown said he told the Auckland Council he had taken several photos of the gap. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, you are responsible,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just do not trust them. I\u2019ve lost a dog. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve lost a family member. It\u2019s just sort of devastating … but there\u2019s nothing I can do about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A temporary gate was put up to cover the hole in the fence at Meola Park. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Photos online since the news of the dog\u2019s death show what appears to be a temporary gate. It is not clear who installed it. <\/p>\n
To\u2019o said Auckland Council empathises with the family and acknowledges this would have been very upsetting for them. <\/p>\n
\u201cMeola Reef Reserve is a large open space [covering nearly 15ha] which is not fenced off, where Aucklanders can walk their dogs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn some areas of the reserve dogs are required to be walked on-leash and other areas don\u2019t require a leash. There is signage outlining this at Meola Rd entrance to the reserve.\u201d <\/p>\n
Meola Reef Reserve. Photo \/ Jason Dorday<\/p>\n
He said the entire reserve is not fully fenced in and it is each dog owner\u2019s responsibility to keep track of their dog and ensure it is safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf an owner\u2019s dog will not respond to their call off-leash, then they should be kept on-leash,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n