Dogs in central Rotorua: What readers think

There has been a strong reaction to the possibility of Rotorua's council allowing dogs back into the central city.

The Daily Post yesterday revealed the Rotorua District Council would soon be asking the public if they wanted to allow dogs back into the central business district and surrounding parks.

The majority of responses to a question placed on The Daily Post Facebook page were against the proposal.

Four people said the only dogs that should be allowed into the city should be guide dogs.

Other people noted that Rotorua had a lot of dangerous or menacing dogs or that people could not be trusted to clean up after their pets.

"Nelson city allows it and was really great ... but then again most people there own nice small breed dogs," one woman posted.

"Yeh fashion dogs maybe but this town has all breeds," another said.

One woman posted that dogs would be okay in the city but only on a leash, "with their poopie bags and water dish to accompany".

Two people said only if the dog was not aggressive and good around people.

Another response was simply "No No No No".

Only one person supported the idea.

Comments on this website were a little more supportive.

Dogs are banned from Rotorua's central business district and surrounding parks. Dog owners are not allowed to bring their pets into the city or walk them in the Government Gardens, Kuirau Park or at the Lakefront.

However, that could change if the Rotorua public and the Rotorua District Council decide they would like to see them back.

Council regulatory services manager Jim Nicklin said Rotorua's Dog Control Bylaw was last reviewed in late 2005 and is up for review in the first quarter of next year.

He said due to pressure from some members of the public, a provision to allow dogs back into the central business district and surrounding parks would be included for public consultation.

This could see dangerous or menacing dogs such as pitbull crosses allowed into the city.

"We would need to accept that would be an aspect of the bylaw and would inevitably include dogs that are classed as menacing because of their breed," he said.