Patrols targeting irresponsible dog owners will start at Far North beaches this weekend following a series of complaints about beachgoers feeling threatened and endangered birdlife being put at risk.
The council's Dog Control Bylaw bars dogs from most beaches between 9am and 6pm from December 1 to February 28. It also bans dogs at all times in areas where endangered wildlife, such as the New Zealand dotterel and the banded dotterel, breed.
In recent weeks, however, the Far North District Council has been fielding complaints about dog owners flouting the rules by taking their dogs on beaches during prohibited times.
District services manager Dr Dean Myburgh said dogs had also been seen off the leash in dotterel breeding areas at Tauranga Bay and Taupo Bay.
"People are telling us that some beach users have felt unsafe with dogs running around unleashed and that bird colonies near or on the beaches could also be at risk. When animal management officers have responded to complaints they sometimes find the offending dogs and owners have left the scene by the time they arrive," Mr Myburgh said.
