Media Release

Friday 17 March 2006

Council gets ducks in a row (but not more than 12) with animal numbers

Caged birds (small) can be there by the dozen. So, too, can pigeons and doves. And with 12 Geese and other poultry there should be no shortage of pate.

But if you want to keep a Llama in your backyard, a couple of deer, a hutch of Ferrets, or perhaps a pack of pigs, then the numbers just don’t stack up in Manukau City’s new bylaw on pet numbers in urban environments.

The council’s Environment and Urban Design committee last night approved the numbers of animals to be kept in urban environments in an Animals and Pest Management Bylaw.

Committee chairman, Cr Noel Burnside, says the bylaw tidies up an historic bylaw regarding the numbers of animals which can be kept in an urban environment.

“The reason for this change to the bylaw is to bring the species and numbers of animals which can be kept in a suburban backyard up to date and to make sure animals don’t create a nuisance or damage to property,” says Cr Burnside.

“Residents can still be prosecuted for their animals causing a nuisance even if they have fewer than the maximum number allowed, but this gives us a guideline to work to which is relevant for 2006 and beyond.”

Cr Burnside says new numbers will “let people know where they stand’ in relation to the numbers of animals they can keep in their suburban backyard. The bylaw does not relate to the number of animals in rural areas, but it does control the driving and grazing of stock on roads.

The bylaw changes are to be available for public consultation from mid-April and submissions will be considered by the council’s Hearings Committee.

Cr Burnside says Council wants to hear what people think about the proposed changes and whether or not the committee has the numbers right.

ENDS

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