Waikato District Council upgrades signage forbidding dogs at Raglan Domain

Dogs are prohibited from the Raglan Domain. However, they are allowed on Raglan Beach and there is a specific area on the beach where they can be off-lead. Photo / 123rf

Dogs are prohibited from roaming areas of a Waikato domain, either on-lead or off-lead.

Raglan dog owners may have spotted animal control officers at the Raglan Domain recently, correcting signs and educating people on where their dogs can legally play in the surrounding areas.

A Waikato District Council (WDC) spokesperson told the Waikato Herald that new signs had been installed in place of previous ones that “incorrectly stated that dogs were permitted on a leash”.

The domain has been a forbidden space for dogs “for a number of years”. In March 2022, with public consultation, the Dog Control Bylaw was updated and continued with the existing classification to prohibit dogs from the domain.

“All dogs are prohibited on playgrounds, sports field surfaces and skate parks. In other public places, dogs must be on a lead,” the spokesperson said.

“New signage was recently installed to make that instruction clear.”

Dogs are, however, allowed on Raglan Beach and there is a specific area on the beach where they are allowed off-lead. They must be on a lead on the rest of the beach, in line with the general rule for dogs in public places.

“A good rule of thumb for all dog owners is that their dog should always be on a lead in public places unless the area they are exercising their dog has signage permitting their dog to be off-lead.”

WDC animal control officers will be doing regular patrols in the domain over summer to help people understand the rules and keep everyone, and their dogs, safe.

“The priority for the animal control team is to engage and educate on our dog regulations.

“However, repeat offenders could receive a $300 infringement.”

To see where dogs are prohibited, there is a map on the council website, or you can view it here with the prohibited areas outlined in red.

Raglan has several dog exercise areas, including the fenced area on the corner of Wallis St and John St known as Aro Aro Reserve, and the Papahua Domain beach area.

Visit Waikato District Council’s website for a full list of dog exercise areas, or see the Dog Bylaw for more detailed information.

Malisha Kumar is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined the Waikato Herald in 2023 after working for Radio 1XX in Whakatāne.