Residents are calling on the Western Bay District Council to introduce tighter dog controls.
Concerned residents gave their feedback to councillors at yesterday's council policy and strategy committee meeting on the draft Dog Control Policy and Bylaw Review 2016.
Resident Brian Hely was one of the submitters calling for tighter dog controls, and said dogs should be on leads in reserves at all times, not just in designated dog-free areas. "I live on Beach Rd right on the waterfront near the public walkway, and there needs to be an extension of our dog-free areas to prevent them roaming or running wild."
Pest Free Omokoroa founder Josephine Law urged councillors to adopt an on-leash restriction for the whole of the Omokoroa and Bethlehem cycleway. She also called for the introduction of a new prohibited area on the foreshore between Cooney's Reserve and Lynley Park.
Ms Law said the district's visiting godwit population was at huge risk from wandering dogs.