There's just under two weeks left for people to have their say on dog control in our communities.
Submissions close on Friday, 27 May 2022, for our communities to let us know whether Whakatāne District Council has the right balance between protecting public and wildlife safety and allowing owners and their dogs the freedom to play their part in community life.
Council is reviewing its Dog Control Policy and is proposing changes to give greater emphasis on educational and community-based solutions, as opposed to enforcement-based actions.
This is your chance to let us know whether Council is doing enough to manage dog control issues, how we could do better, whether the Policy covers the issues well enough and if Council could deliver services more effectively.
The new draft policy puts more focus on public safety, responsible dog ownership and greater protection measures for endangered birds and stock. It also explores community-based partnerships and educational solutions to dog control in remote areas.
Specific points on which Council would like feedback on:
- Are the additional aims added to the proposed Policy necessary?
- Do the proposed changes adequately reflect local characteristics?
- Do you agree to the general approach of placing greater emphasis on education and community-based solutions to dog control issues, particularly in rural areas?
- Are there other elements that would lead to better dog control services?
- What are dog control issues in your community and does this Policy address these?
- Who else should we involve in delivering effective dog control?
Public submissions on the draft Policy close at 5pm, Friday, 27 May 2022. Hearings will take place in early June 2022.