Halswell Connections
Meeting held Tuesday 2 19th October 2021
Halswell Community Hub, 381 Halswell Rd. 12.30-1.30pm
Speaker; Lionel Bridger and Bill Kohi, Animal Management, CCC
After brief Introductions Bill and Lionel gave an overview of animal management with respect to Dogs in Christchurch and then answered questions.
There are 42,000 known dogs in Christchurch City and the animal management team consists of 11 field officers who between them work 24/7.
They deal with approximately 6000 wonders per year.
The biggest challenge is education and getting the message on compliance across - education is important but it needs to be followed up by compliance to drive the message home.
Most common social issues are dogs fouling, being off leash in wet;and areas and social interactions between dogs, dogs and owners and the general public. As soon as a dog is off leash, there is risk - not necessarily from the dog itself but risk that other people/dogs might react/interact, risk to local bird and wildlife etc.
This is one of the reasons that dogs are prohibited during the summer period from 1 November in places like beaches.
One of the priorities of the team are getting lost dogs home rather than in the pound. This both gets the dog off the street where it may cause a risk to others, get a fright and take off etc but also enables discussion, contact and education with the owners. Because of this approach, CCC has the lowest rate of impounding and euthanising dogs.
This is helped by the free microchipping initiatives which increase compliance.
The most common complaints received are fouling and barking. Especially around Christmas time when people go away and leave their dogs either at home or with other people looking after them as the dogs are not accustomed to being alone for such long periods of time.
It is an offence to NOT pick up your dogs poo and an infringement can be issued.
Generally it is about getting evidence of an offence so a photo of a dog in a prohibited area etc can be sent in.
A photo of a loose dog on the Christchurch dogs facebook page is often very effective at identifying a loose dog which then allows animal control to find the owner - people dont need to follow offenders home to get an address.
Key places around Halswell to note:
Halswell Quarry - has an open dog exercise area but dogs are expected to be leashed in other areas of the quarry - the exception is the wetland area which is prohibited. This does make it difficult for dog owners to transition from one area to another. If a dog runs out of the exercise area it is immediately a risk
Restriction: Leashed.
Details: High recreational use and Sister City Gardens. Dogs are prohibited in the wetland area and must be on a leash in the rest of the park. Dogs may be exercised 'under effective control' in the off-leash area..
Policy status: Effective.
Nga Puna Wai and Canterbury Agricultural Park
Restriction: Prohibited/Leashed.
Details: Nga Puna Wai and Canterbury Agricultural Park (Wigram East Retention Basin), Hillmorton. The prohibited area covers the pond (which is unsuitable for recreational contact) and ecologically sensitive marginal plantings of wetland vegetation. Dogs must be on a leash on the walkway / boardwal through this area. Dogs may be under effective control in the remainder of the retention basin..
Policy status: Effective.
Sparks Rd Wetlands - were developed after the last bylaws were introduced so is not covered by those bylaws. This makes it difficult to enforce. This will be considered in the next consideration of the bylaws in 2024 so its important that the local community get involved in the submission process.
Questions/Issues raised:
What does legislation say re dogs?
There are 2 levels of legislation - National legislation and local bylaws.
The national legislation - Dog Control Act - is set by parliament and covers things like the requirement to always carry a leash and pick up dog mess. Local bylaws sit under those laws and covers local issues - which areas are prohibited, on leash or under effective control.
Breaches of the bylaw are enforced under the Dog Control Act and can carry an infringement of $300 - $750
Details of the different areas for dogs and the bylaws can be found on the CCC Website
If people arent sure the easiest way to find information is on the council website - https://ccc.govt.nz/services/dogs-and-animals or google “ccc dogs”
The obligation is with the dog owner to know the rules before they exercise their dogs - different councils have different rules but the underlying legislation is the same
The council bylaws are reviewed every 10 years - the next review is due in 2024 so it is important the local residents, community board submit and are involved.
Ross noted that with Halswell growing at such a rapid rate it was vital to protect areas such as the creamery ponds and the Quaifes road wetlands from encroaching dog ownership
Dogs off leash at Nga Puna Wai?
At Nga Puna Wai / Canterbury Park, dogs should be either on lead or under effective control depending on the area. There is a mix of environments in the area from green areas to the wetlands. Murray raised the issue that he has seen dead birds and noticed the birdlife reducing and questioned the lack of signage,
There is signage but it is not large and people generally dont take notice of signs.
Murray shared the example of Geraldine where signage has been attributed to a 50% drop in fouling
All green spaces are “under effective control” The wetland area is on leash.
It was noted that only protected wildlife is protected by the law. Even though its not acceptable for a dog to attack any bird/wildlife, if its not classified as protected animal control cant do much beyond education. It is illegal for a dog to kill protected wildlife as per the Wildlife Act 1953 but this does mean they are dealing with dated legislation.
Important to remember that just because a dog is on a leash doesnt mean they are under effective control.
Lack of a contained Dog Exercise area.
Andrei noted that the concept of a fenced dog park in Halswell was in the Long Term Plan but has been pushed out to 2030. It remains a priority of the Community Board and local Councillor.
Jan suggested the easiest way would be to fence the existing area at the Quarry.
Lynley agreed that an area was needed especially for bigger dogs that need to run / exercise more.
Suggestions also included a pole at the entrance to a dog area with poo bags for people who may have forgotten to bring them.
Unfortunately animal control dont have any say over dog parks - this is controlled by the Green Spaces/Parks people
What should the public do?
If you can get a car rego or address that is great
If not a photo of a dog in the wrong place is helpful
Send to CCC dog control
If you see a loose dog, leave it. It will generally find its way home or to its owner
Dont break up a fight
Dont walk past an aggressive dog - back away, dont look it in the eye. If necessary yell and try to get something between you and the dog.
What can Animal Management do?
The team have had lots of success re fouling in Little River. They did a substantive letter box drop in the area affected providing advice and education which led to a big drop in the fouling problem.
If needed they can identify all dog owners in a suburb or area and do the same.
It was suggested that it could be helpful to get this information translated into other languages as Halswell is becoming more diverse and it is always easier to understand things in your first language.
If called - animal control can take a dog depending on the issue. This is a risk if the dog or owner becomes aggressive.
It was agreed that there was a need to educate both dog owners on the laws as well as non-dog owners who can sometimes interpret the law incorrectly and accuse dog owners of offending when they havent.
Animal Management do this through open days, school and work place visits and distributing key information
How effective are fines?
People generally pay otherwise they end up in court. Animal Control issue around 1500 infringements a year.
If an owner receives 2 or more in 24 months for 2 incidents they are issued a warning letter and if they reoffend they may be disqualified from owning a dog or placed on probation for a period.
It can cost to follow an infringement through the courts so where possible the idea is to reeducate
Are the Park Rangers involved?
Animal Management team looked into getting rangers involved and warranted/trained but this poses a risk as they are generally not trained to handle dogs.
The rangers were keen but further up the chain said no.
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