Otamatea Reserve dog droppings cause stink with law-abiding dog owners

OTAMATEA RESERVE: This dog walker collected a bag from the dispenser but some owners aren't picking up after their dogs.

Dog faeces left on Otamatea Reserve are causing a stink with some dog owners.

Sue Beardslee, who walks her dog at the reserve most days, says she and other dog walkers have noticed an increasing amount of dog poo is not being picked up.

"An occasional one missed is understandable but we see people chatting in the park with no idea what their dog is up to and some of these turds are unmissable. Huge and very obvious to anyone taking an interest in their dog. Lots of owners have commented on it.

"The [Whanganui District] Council provides bags and bins and there are signs that say you must pick up after your dog. Also, your dog must be under control and, if it's not under control, it has to be on a lead. Lots of dogs aren't under control and there's even one that goes there regularly without a collar on."

She also thinks the poo bag dispenser at the Virginia Rd entrance to the reserve is in the wrong location and could be moved outside the Dog Training Club shed where people may be less likely to take multiple bags, leaving the dispenser empty.

Whanganui District Council compliance team leader Warrick Zander said the council had not received many complaints about dog droppings at Otamatea Reserve recently "as most dog owners using the reserve are respectful of the environment and of others".

"Our Animal Control Team says they get complaints from time to time about people not being in control of their dogs at the Otamatea park but generally not complaints about poo," Mr Zander said.

"Otamatea Reserve is self-policed, with dog owners and members of the Wanganui Dog Training Club often having a word with owners who don't pick up their dog's poo. Our Animal Management Team are going to make more regular visits to Otamatea to keep an eye on the area.

"Dog poo droppings are an issue in some parts of Whanganui. We ask people who see owners not picking up after their dog to contact the Animal Management Team on 349 0001 and give us as much information as possible."

Mr Zander was not aware of people taking multiple bags from the dispenser and had not received any complaints. The council's community patrol team regularly inspects the containers and replaces the bags. He believed the bag dispenser is in the right place.

"More generally the council's parks team is looking at whether we should install more bag dispensers around Whanganui, particularly with the increase of shared pathways in Whanganui. We encourage people to always carry their own doggie poo bags when they are out and about with their dogs."

If council officers witness owners not cleaning up after their dogs, particularly if they have been warned before, they can face a $300 fine.

Mr Zander said keeping a dog under control means the dog is not causing a nuisance or danger and that the person in charge of the dog has it under continuous surveillance.

The person must be able to obtain the desired response from the dog by use of a leash or, if they are in an approved off-leash area like Otamatea Reserve, the dog must be obedient and responsive to the dog owner's commands without hesitation.