Dogs not forgotten in recommendations to Council

Dogs will still have vast tracts of Christchurch beach to enjoy if the Christchurch City Council decides tomorrow to adopt the recommendations of its Dog Control Working Party.

Following consultation with dog owners and the general public, the committee is recommending that dogs be prohibited from part of Sumner Beach during summer and restrained on a short leash in the most popular parts of other Christchurch beaches.

Under the current Christchurch City Council Dog Control Policy, dogs are only allowed through these areas from 1 November to 30 April, if they are on a short leash.

“The recommended changes would make the rules clearer to dog owners and improve the safety and hygiene of local beaches for everyone who uses them,” said Christchurch City Councillor Sue Wells, chair of the Dog Control Working Party.

The changes would mean that during the months of daylight saving dogs would be banned on Sumner beach between Cave Rock (in the east) to 100 metres to the west(known as Mr Whippy corner). Dogs would be able to exercise freely from Mr Whippy Corner to Shag Rock

Dogs would be allowed on all other beach areas, off a leash, except for the following parts, where they would be required to be on a short leash for the purpose of passing through:- 100 metres either side of the Surf Clubs at Spencer Park beach, Waimairi beach, North Beach and South Brighton beach. the area from the Surf Club at New Brighton to a point 100 m south of the Christchurch Pier.

“The length of beach from the Waimakariri River mouth to the Southshore Spit covers just over 19 km. We are suggesting that the movement of dogs be restricted in only 1.2km of this area during six months of the year,” Cr Wells said.

© Scoop Media