Has Auckland City Council Broken the Law over Dogs?

Auckland City Council may be in breach of the law in failing to send out copies of its new draft dog bylaw and draft dog policy to registered dog owners, says DOG (Dog Owners Group) President Dr Cathy Casey. The matter has come to light as a result of her being sent a press release of 2 July from the North Shore City Council announcing an extension to its submission period on its draft dog bylaw and draft dog policy:

“North Shore City's environmental protection team leader, Ian Parker, says the council is sending all dog owners in the city their annual dog registration packs this week. As required by law, the information pack includes copies of the draft policy and bylaw and a submission form inviting comment on the proposals.”

Dr Casey says that dog owners in Auckland City did not receive these documents in the mail and have instead to either pick them up at a library or download them from the Council’s website. She has already had complaints from elderly people and people with disabilities who do not have computers and for whom walking is a difficulty.

“I wonder why Auckland city Council chose to fill our registration renewal envelopes with advertising material for dog food instead of posting us the important information about how they intend to control dogs for the next decade. Which is more important?”

Dr Casey says that if the Council is in breach of the law, like North Shore, it should it grant an extension to the submission deadline and send out the documents to dog owners urgently.

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