Auckland Council is considering a limit to the number of dogs that can be walked. Photo / Babiche Martens
Auckland Council is considering a limit to the number of dogs that can be walked. Photo / Babiche Martens
Auckland Council proposes limiting the number of dogs walked at once to six, with only three off-leash.
The changes aim to balance dog-friendly and dog-free spaces, protecting wildlife and public safety.
Feedback on the proposed rules is open until February 23.
Auckland Council proposes limiting the number of dogs that can be walked at once under a big shake-up of its canine rules.
In a statement today, the council said data shows that multiple dogs being walked together appears to be an emerging issue for Aucklanders, so a limit on thenumber of dogs that can be walked at the same time is proposed.
Under the proposed changes, people can walk a maximum of six dogs at once and only three of those dogs can be off a leash. This means a dog walker could walk three dogs off a leash at once, or three dogs off a leash and an additional three dogs on a leash, or six dogs on a leash.
The changes being proposed are part of a regular review of Auckland’s dog policy, Dog Management Bylaw and local dog access rules.
In a preliminary survey in March last year, Aucklanders told the council that owners not picking up after their dog, dogs wandering off-leash in on-leash areas and packs of dogs taking up pathways were of concern to them.
Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley and her dog Milo. Photo / Auckland Council
Councillor Josephine Bartley, chairwoman of the council’s Regulatory and Safety Committee, said the proposals aim to strike a fair balance for everyone who uses Auckland’s public places.
She said the proposed changes aim to keep a good mix of dog-friendly and dog-free spaces so there are places for dogs, and anyone who is not a dog person, to enjoy.
“This will also help to protect vulnerable wildlife, like endangered shorebirds nesting on our beaches, and kauri in specific places.
“This aims to respond to the concerns in a way that’s fair and reasonable, without imposing unnecessary restrictions. Ultimately, everyone should feel safe and welcome to visit Auckland’s parks, beaches and public spaces – this is at the heart of these proposals," she said.
Commercial dog walking could only become affordable for the rich if the council's proposals proceed, said Andy Evans.
Andy Evans, whose company Fetch Dog Walking walks up to 1000 dogs a week in Auckland, said he could not understand why the council wanted to limit the number of dogs that could be walked and toileted when there has been no big call for it.
He said pack-walking is the only affordable and convenient option for a growing number of Aucklanders who own a dog and don’t have the time or capacity to walk their dog, saying restricting the number of dogs will stop the pack-walking of most dogs and make it only affordable for the rich.
“The biggest issue is around the 16% of unregistered dogs in Auckland, roaming aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners who do not desex, socialise, train and exercise their dogs.
“The wider dog-owning community are a bit perplexed as to why we are even having this conversation,” said Evans.
Bartley – a dog owner – said dog rules are a topic that people are passionate about, and urged people to have a say.
The changes aim to balance dog-friendly and dog-free spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau. They cover dog access rules (where dogs can go off a leash, on a leash, or are not allowed) at 14 regional parks and 64 places in local parks and beaches across the region. New off-leash areas are recommended, as well as changes to keep dogs out of places with vulnerable wildlife, and to provide some places for the public to visit that are completely dog-free.
The proposed changes are planned to make the rules and dog bylaw clearer, including the need for any dogs classified as menacing and dangerous to be neutered if they move into the Auckland region, rules and exemptions for working dogs and dogs in vehicles, plus dog access rules for places such as council carparks and camping grounds.
Parks and beaches with proposed changes to local dog access rules include:
