Purpose
To provide a framework that recognises:

• The need to minimise danger, distress and nuisance to the community generally.
• The need to avoid the inherent danger in allowing dogs to have uncontrolled access to public places that are frequented by children, whether or not the children are accompanied by adults.
• The importance of enabling, to the extent that is practicable, the public (including families) to use streets and public amenities without fear of attack or intimidation by dogs.
• The exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners.

Principles
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council promotes the use of regulatory and non-regulatory tools to manage potential conflicts between animals and people.  The Council’s approach to dog control is to impose regulations only to the extent necessary to protect public safety and wellbeing, to prevent animal cruelty and to provide for the recreational needs of dogs and their owners.

Definitions
All definitions are to be contained in a Dog Control Bylaw, as adopted by Council.

Policies

Prohibited Areas
Dogs are prohibited at all times from the following places:

• Maketu Spit (Kaituna Reserve) for the protection of native dotterels
• Pukehina Spit (Dotterel Point Reserve) for the protection of native dotterels
• Within the soft fall area (bark or rubber) of any children’s playground
• Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park
• Any other areas as resolved by Council from time to time
  

Dogs are prohibited at specific times from the following places:

• Waihi Beach foreshore and beach reserve
• Omokoroa Domain and esplanade reserve
• Maketu foreshore and beach reserve
• Any other areas as resolved by Council from time to time
• Leash Control in Public Places

Dogs must be under control at all times.  Any dog causing or likely to cause danger, distress or nuisance must immediately be placed under leash control.   This requires the owner to carry a leash at all times.

Leash Control Areas
Council may by resolution designate any specific public place or area as a Leash Control Area.  In areas that have been designated Leash Control Areas dogs must be under leash control at all times.

Dog Exercise Areas
Council may by resolution designate any specific public place or area as a Dog Exercise Area.   In areas that have been designated Dog Exercise Areas dogs must be under control at all times.  Any dog causing or likely to cause danger, distress or nuisance must immediately be placed under leash control.   This requires the owner to carry a leash at all times.