Educating owners priority in review of bylaw

Wanganui District Council PHOTO/FILE

Jonathan Barrett wants to discuss with Wanganui District councillors what changes, if any, need to be made to dog control in Wanganui.

The deputy strategy and development manager for WDC, who oversees animal control in the district, said he would be organising a councillor workshop this month to discuss topical issues on dog control.

While he acknowledged a problem with roaming dogs, he said educating owners needed to be a priority.

"The fundamental issue is how do you promote responsible dog ownership. That's the challenge. I think the issue of people being threatened by dogs is not acceptable."

He also encouraged public submissions on the council's animal control bylaw review, which is under way.

"It may be about changing our approach in certain areas. If the community response is that stray dogs are a serious issue, we have to address that. There will be a full public engagement process," he said.

WDC has three animal control officers who cover the district 24 hours a day.

Mr Barrett said they responded to complaints and also conducted patrols when they could. Mr Barrett said the possibility of more staff could be discussed if the community raised it but it would be an extra cost.

"That depends on what level of service the community wants to have. You can always do more, can't you?"

Mr Barrett was also keen to have input from other organisations, such as animal welfare groups.

"I would like the community and the council and other stakeholder organisations to be working in partnership."

While roaming dogs are a problem in Castlecliff, it was an issue all over Wanganui and the city had a higher level of dog ownership than most towns.

The dog control bylaw is to be discussed at a WDC committee meeting this month with public consultation to follow.