Dog can remain but barking issue must be sorted

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: Leanne Leonard is hugely relieved that her dog has been given a reprieve. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

Christmas will be a lot happier for Leanne Leonard's family now her beloved pooch Blue has been allowed to stay at home.

Blue's owner fronted up to a special hearing of Tauranga City Council yesterday to oppose an order for the dog to be permanently removed from their Jonathon St property because of barking complaints.

"He's a family dog, I love him dearly," she pleaded.

After hearing her explanation and that they had to be out of the Jonathon St house by February 14, the council lifted the immediate threat facing Blue.

"I am so thrilled, he is my baby. It will make Christmas a lot happier, I will buy him a little present," she said after hearing the decision.

Instead of the removal order taking effect immediately, it was extended to February 14 subject to Ms Leonard putting Blue through a training course by a dog behavioural specialist and fitting him with an anti-barking collar.

However the reprieve depends on Blue behaving himself. The council said that if two or more substantiated barking complaints were received that Blue was continuing to bark, then he would be removed within seven days.

Ms Leonard told councillors she had just found out from a neighbour overlooking her house why the 14-month-old labrador/shar pei cross barked when she was not at home.

The neighbour told her the rope that held Blue to his dog run was getting snagged. Ms Leonard said she had now blocked access to underneath the deck so Blue could not get tangled.

"That should be the end of the barking - he does not bark for no reason."

Council animals and enforcement team leader Brent Lincoln said the first barking complaint was received in March when Ms Leonard was living in Welcome Bay. Complaints about loud and persistent barking resumed on July 30 after she shifted to Jonathon St.

Mr Lincoln said 27 complaints from 10 different people were received between March 10 and November 17.

"Phone calls to some of the complainants last night confirmed that the dog still frequently barked for long periods of time."

He said attempts to reduce the nuisance had failed, with the owner stating that the neighbours were mistaken.

Ms Leonard said many of the complaints were made in August, in the period after they moved into the house. It was common for dogs to take a couple of weeks to settle, she said.

"I don't think there is much of a problem with my dog ... he is not barking all the time like they are saying. There are other dogs in the neighbourhood that bark."

She said Blue barked at unfamiliar people walking past.

Mr Lincoln said Blue had a well developed barking behaviour and the only thing that would change that was a dog behaviourist.

The hearings panel comprised Councillors Matt Cowley (chairman), Steve Morris and Bev Edlin.