Editorial: Unleashing the doggie debate

OPINION: Every so often an issue comes along that is likely to polarise people into two distinct camps – dog fans and the rest of the population.

Timaru District Councillor John Bradley is willing to dip a toe into these difficult waters with a move to liberalise the dog laws at Caroline Bay. It is an issue that is more than likely to get a number of people hot under the collar.

Mr Bradley makes a good case for the change. Under the existing rules dogs are only allowed on the tidal area of Caroline Bay between April 1 and September 30. At all other times dogs are banned from the area, including the boardwalk, whether they are on a lead or not.

The councillor who, by his own admission is not a "dog nut", but is married to one, wants responsible dog owners to be able to promenade their pooches up and down the boardwalk any time of the year. He clearly believes that dog owners have been unfairly excluded from taking walkies on the bay and points out that, for many female owners, their dogs afford them a degree of security when they are out walking alone.

He wants responsible dog owners – those who have the council's "selected owner" status – to be able to take their pooches to the bay year round as long as the animals are on a lead and under control.

Parents of young children will no doubt greet Cr Bradley's plans with a great degree of nervousness. For parents there is no more helpless feeling in the world than watching a tiny tot be confronted by a strange dog larger than them in a public place. We have a shameful record of dog attacks in this country and let's be clear – it is irresponsible dog owners at fault, not the dogs themselves. Whether the selected owner policy can guard against this rogue element is unclear. The other concern for Caroline Bay fans will be the inevitable byproduct of dogs – dog doings.

Dog issues have a polarising effect with feelings tending to run high on both sides of the doggie divide.

The fundamental question is about the rights of citizens. Do humans have a greater right to enjoy public spaces than dogs? Do the rights of dog-dislikers outweigh those of dog lovers? Or do the rights of children to enjoy public spaces without fear of dog attacks outweigh the rights of all others?

These are tricky questions to deal with, and will no doubt make for a lively debate in the chamber at the heart of our local democracy.

Timaru has many things going for it, not least of which is its picturesque bay. Caroline Bay is a precious spot and it is on a roll as an attraction thanks to the addition of the magnificent boardwalk and the dune plantings. Councillors will have to carefully consider whether making it a year-round doggie delight may be a step too far. After all, there are plenty of other places for dog owners to go.

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