Dog owners urged to be vigilant during holiday season

With popular Far North beach destinations getting busy in the lead up to Christmas, Kōwhai (Deputy Mayor) Kelly Stratford is reminding all dog owners to be extra vigilant of their pets.

“Our dog control rules aim to strike a balance between the needs of dog owners and other beach users. At most beaches dogs can be off-leash but under control. Elsewhere we have on-leash beach access for dogs during the day, and off-leash in the morning and evening when there are fewer people about. At a few sensitive locations, such as Te Haumi in the Bay of Islands, there is a complete ban on dogs along the most the beach.

“We’re expecting a lot of visitors to the district this summer, so now is a good time to remind all dog owners to be extra vigilant, especially around children and at beaches. This is even more important where there are nesting sea birds or high-density kiwi habitats.”

She says that some parts of the Far North do have strict dog controls, but for good reason. “We are very fortunate that our district is home to several rare and endangered bird species, and we have wonderful volunteer pest management programmes that community groups, Kiwi Coast, Landcare, and hapū and iwi operate. Some of those control methods can be fatal to dogs, which is one reason we are so careful about where dogs can go.”

Far North coastlines are home to several at risk seabird species and stricter dog control rules are applied at some beaches during the nesting season. The New Zealand dotterel (tūturiwhatu) is found only in New Zealand and is particularly vulnerable at this time of year when they nest above the high tide line. Once widespread and common, the population is now estimated to be around 2500. You can find out more about the tūturiwhatu on the Department of Conservation website.

Taupō Bay, on the east coast between Totara North and Mangōnui, is one of the district’s most popular beaches and also a favourite nesting ground for tūturiwhatu. Because of that, dogs are prohibited all year along the southern part of the beach where dotterels nest. Dogs can still use the rest of the beach with some extra restrictions over the summer period.

Council Animal Management Officers (AMOs) will be on duty right through the holiday period, responding to urgent complaints and caring for dogs in the council’s animal shelters. They will also conduct random checks at popular holiday destinations to remind dog owners of their obligations and to enforce dog access rules. Signs detailing the rules are posted at reserves and most beaches.

“If in doubt, please ask an Animal Management Officer or go to our website for details on where and when to exercise your dogs,” says Stratford. 

Image: AI generated.