Mr Stevens told councillors there was a group of farmers dissatisfied at the huge increase in the number of sheep threatened by dogs and the lack of action from council.
Dogs had destroyed more than 100 sheep in the region over the past month.
Farmers had shot 11 dogs and council staff, one, while one dog had been returned to its rightful owner.
Dog rangers preferred that farmers “deal with the issue”.
“At the moment the law is on our side. We would like support. We can’t keep on shooting dogs.
“There are going to be repercussions; there is going to be utu.”
Mr Stevens said he had killed 16 dogs a year or two ago.
“I live out here — I have to live with the consequences.”
Farmers needed the support of dog owners, but were not getting it, he said.
The gap between farmers and dog rangers had never been wider.
“What are we getting for our registrations — at the moment nothing.”
Mr Stevens told of a woman who three weeks previously found her seven sheep lying dead in a pool of blood.
They had their noses and ears chewed off and hunks of meat taken off the legs. She had bought them six years before as lambs. They had names and were like her children. It was horrific, said Mr Stevens.
The dog ranger was called and found the responsible dog tied to a fence. It is illegal to shoot such a dog.
“The law is a ass,” said Mr Stevens. “The dog owner was traced and the dog was released. It mauled more sheep the following day.”
Mr Stevens said he went looking for the dog and was tipped off where it was being hidden.
The owner “knew the heat was on”.
The dog kept being moved. The dog ranger went to one such address.
Dog rangers could not keep on relying on farmers.
They needed more support.“You support us and we will support you.
“We need to get it right.”
Mr Stevens said farmers and council had discussed dogs two years ago.
“You promised something would be done. Doing nothing is not an option. We need something done, we need something done now.”
There was an obligation to ratepayers and the next generation of farmers to get it right.
There was an obligation to the next generation of dog control officers to give them more power.
“He’s a dead dog if he’s a worrier.”
Farmers were not compensated for lost sheep.
Currently owners of worrying dogs could pay a fine or could surrender the dog with 24 hours for the owner to change their decision.
That did not stop the dog from killing.
“That’s our point. A dog who worries is a dead dog. There should be consequences for dog owners,” said Mr Stevens.
Councillors started discussing Mr Stevens submission with all supporting him.
Councillor Josh Wharehinga said he wanted to know how far council could legally go in terms of dog bylaws.
Cr Andy Cranston said his capacity for dog bylaws enforcement would always be an issue and the workload would always be huge.
Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said council was restricted in what it could do under the Dog Act.
Staff would have to make another recommendation.
She was concerned the kōrero would be time-consuming while the rest of the dog bylaws needed to be discussed.
Councillors went on to accept all other original recommendations.
Previously the most contentious issue appeared to be the proposed banning of dogs from Kaiti Beach.
Cr Larry Foster continued his opposition to the policy. He said the staff paper before councillors said dogs were currently banned from the beach.
That was not correct as dogs were allowed at Kaiti Beach on a leash after 7am for the remainder of the day.
That existing bylaw had never been enforced.
Cr Foster estimated 70 percent of dogs on Kaiti Beach were on a leash.
Dog owners were responsible, and no dog-related issues had previously been raised.
The habitat of blue penguins (native kororā) had been harmed by wharf development.
Cr Foster said he had walked generations of dogs at Kaiti Beach.
He believed bird numbers had increased.
He was concerned with the state of Kaiti Beach but that was because of vandalism and cars and motor bikes being used on the beach.
Council’s dog control bylaws adopted recommendations include:
■ Allowing dogs on-leash in the following areas which are designated as prohibited areas under the current policy:
Botanical Gardens (excluding play areas)
Midway Beach (flagged area)
Waikanae beach (flagged area)
Wainui beach (flagged area)
Anzac Park
Alfred Cox Park (pump track area)
■ Whataupoko Reserve (Fox Street Reserve) is an off-leash zone.
■ Amending the designation at all beaches to allow more accessibility for dog owners by extending the off-leash area at Waikanae beach from Pacific Street to Stanley Street and making the prohibited areas between the flags at all beaches on-leash (except Kaiti Beach).
■ Directing the chief executive to review the standard operating procedure in relation to barking dog complaints and the tools available to animal control officers to monitor and record nuisance.
■ Directing the chief executive to bring back to council further explanations and recommendations to advance the issue of worrying dogs.
