Definitions (bylaw & policy)

• A new definition for 'registration tag', and updates to definitions for ‘dog park’, ‘nuisance’, ‘playground’, and ‘working dog’. These have been added for clarity and to line up with legislation.

Clause 7.2 (bylaw) & Clause 3.5 (policy)

• Advisory note added to clarify that if your dog does not consistently respond to commands then they must be kept on a leash

Clauses 7.2, 7.4, 11.2 & 13.2 (bylaw) & Clause 3.2 (policy)

• Wording ‘or person in charge’ added for clarity and consistency

Clause 7.3 (bylaw) & Clause 3.6 (policy)

• New clause added to allow dogs to be considered as under control when owner is absent (provided it is effectively confined or tethered to present nuisance or annoyance). This was identified as a gap in our current bylaw and policy

Section 8 (bylaw) & Clause 3.10 (policy)

• New section about diseased dogs and dogs in season, prohibiting them from being taken into a public place (other than to visit a vet or for breeding purposes). This is to reduce the potential for problems

Section 12 (bylaw) & Clause 9.3 (policy)

• New section to added allow temporary reclassifications and advisory note to clarify that dogs may not be permitted at events

Clause 17.3 (bylaw) & Clause 12.2 (policy)

• New clause to clarify that Dog Control Officers (with the Police) may work to release dogs suffering in hot vehicles. This is in line with current powers, added to provide clarity to the community

Section 2 - Part B (bylaw & policy)

• Inclusion of Range Street Exercise Area and Rakaia Dog Park as off-leash areas, and corresponding advisory notes. They are not included in our current bylaw and policy

Definitions

• Definition added for 'private way' for clarity and to align with legislation

Clause 7.5 & 7.6

• Removal of 'fouling'. Considered unnecessary

Section 10

• Section about dogs near playgrounds re-worded for clarity

Section 18

• Removal of words defining urban and rural areas. Considered unnecessary as these are included in the definitions section

Clause 20.2

• Removal of 'duly' and 'in that behalf'. Considered unnecessary

Clause 20.3

• Removal of 'therein'. Considered unnecessary

Clause 21.1

• Section removed. Considered unnecessary as these are covered in the Dog Control Act 1996. Retaining this section would also mean the bylaw would need to be updated any time fees within legislation are updated

Clause 1.5

• Update to the registration classifications table for clarity

Clause 1.7

• Removal of requirement to complete a ‘working dog declaration form’. This form is not currently used and its purpose is unclear

Clause 4.2

• Change of wording from 'zoning' to 'area' for consistency with other sections of the policy

Clause 6.1

• Removal of date as it’s no longer relevant

Clause 7.1

• Addition of (permanent or temporary) next to ‘playground equipment’ for clarity and to line up with the bylaw

Clause 8.4

• 'Appropriately' added for clarity and wording changed from 'fouling' to 'dog faeces' for consistency

Clause 8.7

• New clause added to increase awareness of care needed when children are taken to dog parks

Clause 9.1

• New section added about conservation areas for consistency with the Dog Control Act. An advisory note has been included to clarify that Department of Conservation use their own classification system

Clause 9.2

• New section added about dog friendly businesses. The section states that Council is supportive of dog friendly businesses provided they meet all legislative requirements

Section 10.1

• Minor wording changes for consistency and to reflect current practice:
  • Clause 10.1.1 - 'animal' updated to 'dog'
  • Clause 10.1.2 - 'if' updated to 'after'
  • Clause 10.1.3 - 'complaint' updated to 'stage'

Clause 14.3

• Minor wording changes regarding disposal of dogs to reflect current practice