Dog access plan 'impossible to police'

A Timaru dog owner has spoken out against a Timaru District councillor's proposal to let some dogs back on Caroline Bay.

Roger Thompson, a former dog ranger for the Bay, says although he likes dogs, he thinks John Bradley's proposal to allow year-round access for approved dogs would be impossible to police.

Mr Bradley would like to give permission to dog owners who pass the council's selected owner policy to take their dogs on a leash around certain parts of the Bay, including the beach.

Current legislation allows dogs on the tidal area of Caroline Bay only between April 1 and September 30.

Mr Thompson said the idea would be an "open invitation" for any dog owner to take their dog to the Bay. He said the present bylaw was not even working.

"In my opinion they haven't thought about it whatsoever. They can't control what they've got there now.

"I've been down there and there have been up to five dogs tearing around the green area."

He doubted council staff would patrol the beach and said it would be nearly impossible to restrict year-round access to only selected dogs. It would also increase the amount of dog faeces on the Bay.

Timaru District Council regulatory services manager Peter Thompson said there were about 850 selected owner policy dogs in the district and it was impossible to say how procedures could be implemented because the topic had not even been discussed.

He agreed it was difficult for the council to keep an eye on the beach all the time. "There are likely to be enforcement issues, and there are enforcement issues now."

- © Fairfax NZ News