Dog Control Bylaw and Policy Review 2023

What we’ve already heard

Last year, we asked people what they might want from a revised Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw. We got a great response with lots of suggestions about exercise areas, dog parks and more. Much of that feedback has been taken into account and is reflected in the proposals.

For example:

• We’re proposing to increase the number of formal dog exercise areas.
• We’re suggesting some changes to where and when dogs can (and can’t) be exercised off-leash.
• Plus, we want to tidy up some rules so that we’re consistent with other legislation including the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

You can find everything we're proposing here.

What we're proposing

Dog exercise areas:

We’re proposing some changes to where and when dogs across the district can be exercised.

In summary, we’re proposing:

• five new exercise areas in Cambridge
• one new exercise area in Te Awamutu/Kihikihi
• two new exercise areas in Maungatautari.

In some instances, we’re suggesting a mixture of on and off-leash times or areas.

For the full detail, you can view the full list of proposed dog exercise areas in the Statement of Proposal here and we’ve already created some maps:

• Cambridge and Leamington
• Karāpiro / Maungatautari
• Te Awamutu and Kihikhi
• Pirongia, Lake Ngā Roto, Kakepuku maunga and Airport
• Ōhaupō

If you would like to compare these to the current maps you can view our current dog exercise and prohibited areas here.

Prohibited areas:

Dogs just don’t belong in some places. We’re proposing some parts of our district continue to be no-go areas for dogs because of concerns around public safety or for ecological or cultural reasons.

We don’t think dogs should be allowed in:

• any fenced public playground or play area, or within five metres of any unfenced public playground or play area
• reserves where animals are being grazed
• all Department of Conservation reserves, unless a permit has been obtained from the Department itself.

Please view the above maps or the Statement of Proposal for the full details on where we're proposing prohibited areas for dogs in Waipā.

Other things are are considering:

In reviewing our Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw, we also want to tidy up some other dog-related issues. Some things were proposing are:

• Dogs will be allowed in Civil Defence shelters (rugby clubs or halls for example) during a state of emergency.
• People should not be able to drive their vehicles and have their dog running beside that vehicle on a public road.
• Dogs travelling on the back of trucks, trailers or utes must be tethered / tied to the vehicle. This is for their safety, and the safety of others.
• If Council issues a notice requiring someone to get their dog neutered, the dog owner should have the ability to appeal that decision. Currently, this isn’t the case and we don’t think that’s fair.
• Waipā dogs should all have shelter that reflects what is already required in the Animal Welfare Act 1999. (For example, kennels should be off the ground).
• One person can walk a maximum of four dogs at a time in Waipā in a dog exercise area, and of those four dogs, we recommend that only two should be off-leash at any one time.
• We have changed how we define urban properties for the purpose of dog registration fees and for the requirements of permits (for the number of dogs that can be kept). This is now based on district plan zoning to make it easier to administer and for people to understand.
• Our policy now sets out what we consider to be “persistent” dog barking to help people understand what we consider this to be for enforcement purposes.

If you want to view the full policy details on what we are consulting on please view our Draft Dog Control Policy here.

If you want to view the specific Bylaw updates we're proposing please view our Draft Dog Control Bylaw here.

Have your say!

We'd love for you to have your say on the proposed changes to our Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw. It's important we hear from you - dog owner or not - before decisions are made.

Have a look at the full Statement of Proposal on what we're proposing then have your say.

You can have your say by:

• Completing this online Submission Form
• Download a Submission Form, complete it and return it to a Council office - 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu or 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.

Submissions close 5pm, Friday 16 June 2023.

You can also pick up a hard copy of the Statement of Proposal, Draft Dog Control Policy, Draft Dog Control Bylaw and Submission form at the Te Awamutu and Cambridge Council offices and libraries.

Information sessions

Want to find out more or have questions about what we're proposing, come visit us at one of the following locations. There will be representatives from Council there to answer any questions you may have and submission forms you call fill in to have you say.

• Victoria Street Cambridge (outside BNZ) - Wednesday 17 May, 11am - 1pm
• CANCELLED - Kihikihi Domain - Saturday 20 May, 10.30am - 1.30pm
• Cambridge Farmers Market - Saturday 27 May, 8am - 12pm
• Alexandra Street Te Awamutu (outside Westpac) - Wednesday 31 May, 11am - 1pm
• Lake Te Koo Utu Cambridge - Wednesday 7 June, 3pm - 5pm