Dog Control Policy and Bylaw review consultation opens today

The Kāpiti Coast District Council is inviting the community to share their views on the District’s current Dog Control policy and bylaw.

Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir says that dogs are an important part of the Kāpiti Coast landscape, as evidenced by the fact that there are over 7700 dogs and over 6000 dog owners in the District.

“More people own dogs in Kāpiti per capita than anywhere else in the Wellington region.  Just over 11% of our residents have at least one dog and this tells us that dogs are an integral part of many people’s families and lives here in our community.

“We know that people hold strong opinions about dogs in our community and the rules that oversee their responsible ownership. We want to hear those opinions to help us to make informed and balanced decisions about dog control. Our goal is to make the Kāpiti Coast a safe, comfortable, and inclusive community for both dogs and people.”

Council is also considering the feasibility of five potential sites across the District for future off-leash dog exercise areas. These are:

• Kaiwaru Trig Forest, Waikanae Park;
• Mazengarb Park Reserve;
• Nga Whakangutu Reserve, Pingao Lane;
• 91 Mazengarb Road; and
• Maui Pomare Road Reserve.

To share your thoughts on dog control on the Kāpiti Coast click here, or stop by a Council Service Centre where consultation drop-boxes are located.

Consultation closes on 14 September.