Dogs unwelcome at market
13 April 2015Dog owners have turned up their noses at attempts to keep Cambridge's farmers' market a dog-free zone.
A three-month trial to allow provide pooch parking' and keep dogs out of the market while their owners shop has been abandoned. The market remains an official no-go area for dogs. Owners who insist upon taking their dogs to the market risk a $200 fine.
Some months ago, market organisers asked Waipa District Council staff to approve a parking area for dogs to discourage owners taking dogs into the market. Organisers and stall holders have fielded negative comments from market customers concerned about dogs on site. More than once, dog owners have become rude or abusive when told their dogs were not allowed in the market area.
The farmers' market is held every Saturday morning at Victoria Park.
Council's environmental services team leader Karl Tutty said dogs were not allowed in Victoria Park at any time under the Council's existing dog control bylaw. But some people consistently ignored that rule when the market was on.
The restriction on dogs at Victoria Park has been in place since 2009; it nothing to do with the farmers' market. But some market-goers either don't know about it, or are choosing to ignore it and that's making it difficult for organisers and stall holders and uncomfortable for some customers who don't like dogs around food.
A trial to provide a pooch parking' area next to the market to accommodate dog owners and meet stall-holder concerns had largely failed, he said.
The pooch park simply wasn't successful, possibly because owners were reluctant to leave their dogs there while shopping.
At the request of market organisers, council enforcement staff will now step up their presence at the market. While no fines had been levied yet, some dog owners had been spoken to, either by council staff or directly by stall holders.
Around the middle of the year, Waipa District Council will begin a review of its dog control policy and bylaw which covers dog prohibited areas, including Victoria Park. Public input into that review will be sought.
In the meantime, copies of Waipa's dog exercise areas and dog prohibited areas are available from Council's website or offices.
Media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 507 7599