Dog owners outraged over vandalism

The drinking and showering station for hot and thirsty dogs at the new Park Island walkways has been vandalised.

For dog owners using the new Park Island walkways, the installation of a drinking and showering station for their hot and thirsty charges was good news - although it lasted only three days after vandals paid a visit to the site.

The Napier City Council had put in a specialised watering fountain with a shower hose and head attached. However, the shower head was snapped off on Sunday.

A regular user of the pathways to walk her dog said all was well on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning when she and friends used it but on Monday morning the shower head was missing.

The installation had been a welcome addition to the walking area, she said.

"When the council were doing up the park they asked us dog walkers what we would like to see there and we said we wanted a watering area - which they did and we were so grateful."

"We just can't understand why people do this sort of thing," she said.

"It was a really good set-up - and lasted just three days."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton was left angry and shaking his head over the incident - the latest slice of what he described as a regular scourge for the council.

"Vandalism is a huge problem for us," he said.

"It is hugely disappointing and we are going to start a war on this.

"It is not something that people should ever accept and we have to get on top of it.

"People need to keep their eyes open and report this sort of thing to us if they see it happening - we will follow it up," Mr Dalton said.

He advised people to take car registrations, vehicle colour and type, as well as note personal and clothing details about people seen damaging property.