New laws for those with four paws

Christchurch’s 37,000 registered dogs are now welcome in Cathedral Square and other key central city locations as long as they are on a leash.

Up until now dogs have been banned from Cathedral Square, Victoria Square, New Regent St and Cashel Mall, but that ban lifted on September 1 when new dog control rules came into effect.

The new rules means dogs are allowed in all public places within the central city provided they are on a leash.

In Hagley Park dogs will need to be on a leash at all times on the sealed pathways and on the busy perimeter gravel path from Harper Ave to the Armagh Bridge in North Hagley Park and alongside Deans Ave, Moorhouse Ave and Hagley Ave in South Hagley Park.

Dogs will be allowed off-the-leash in other parts of Hagley Park provided they are kept under effective control.

In another key change that comes into effect tomorrow dog owners must carry plastic bags to clean up dog poo when in public places or they could face a fine.

The new rules are outlined in the recently reviewed Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw, which was approved by Christchurch City Council in June after extensive consultation with dog owners and residents.

Council Animal Management Team Leader Mark Vincent said the Council had taken the opportunity during the review to clarify and reinforce two existing requirements that it saw as vitally important.

“To help protect children, who are over-represented in dog bite statistics, dogs are prohibited from being within one metre of all Council playgrounds, paddling pools and skate parks,’’ Mr Vincent said.

Claude enjoys a play on the beach.

"Also, to help avoid traffic accidents, dogs must be on a leash on all roads, footpaths, berms and verges, car parks, state highways and boat ramps. Having your dog on a leash is as much about the safety of your dog as it is about the safety of other road users.’’

The bylaw also extends the summer beach prohibition from November 1 to March 31 (between 9am and 7pm) on all specified swimming beaches.