An independent consultant will carry out a sweeping review of Hastings District Council's dog regulations following strong public criticism of the council's animal control staff and policies in recent weeks.
But one Hastings councillor said the review is a missed opportunity for the council to work with neighbouring councils on aligning dog policies and fees throughout Hawke's Bay.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the council expected to finalise next week the terms of reference for the review, which would be carried out by a consultant with significant dog control and regulatory experience. An online petition asking Mr Yule to "investigate dog control and seizing procedures within the Hastings District Council" had attracted more than 1500 supporters, although many have identified themselves as being outside the district.
Mr Yule said he accepted there was concern among some residents that the council's zero-tolerance approach to dangerous and menacing dogs was having an impact on "good" dog owners who had got caught out by the tough stance.
"Now we've got the dangerous and menacing dogs under control, the area we've got to look at is how we make it easier and cheaper and less hassle for good dog owners who have non-menacing, non-dangerous dogs, and hopefully this review will have a look at that and say, how can we do that a bit better."