Kia Ora

 

I refer to your e-mail of 26 June 2024 requesting information relating to
the proposed Dog Control Bylaw and Policy consultation. Our responses to
your questions are in Italics below each question.

 

 

[1]DCC Main Page

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From: kat geeves <[2][FOI #27392 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 June 2024 2:47 p.m.
To: Official Information <[3][Dunedin City Council request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Request for Information on 2024
Dog Policy and Bylaw Changes

 

Dear Dunedin City Council,

I am writing to request specific information regarding the proposed
changes to the 2024 dog policy and bylaw, particularly the new
restrictions on the number of dogs allowed in public places. The new bylaw
states:

"An owner or person in charge of dogs may have no more than six dogs in a
public place at any time, with no more than two of these dogs off-leash at
any one time. This control is introduced to address issues with multiple
dogs in public places."

Early engagement in November 2023 yielded three vague comments about the
number of dogs per person in public spaces. This implies the council is
aware of multiple complaints involving multi-dog groups causing nuisances.

To facilitate informed discussions among interested parties and prepare
for a submission and hearing, I require the following information. The
absence of this information will prevent that from occurring and
negatively impact the merits of the consultation.

1. A detailed report of dog-related incidents leading to the proposed
changes in the Dog Control Bylaw. Specifically:
- Time, date, and location of all dog attacks or complaints in the past
five years.
- Details of each complaint.
- Number of dogs involved.
- Special reference to any complaint involving a paid dog walker.
- Information should be provided in an accessible, searchable format,
preferably an Excel spreadsheet.

 

Our proposal was informed by issues raised over several years and in the
early engagement carried out in November 2023. A link to our engagement
feedback can be found at [4]Dog Control Bylaw and Policy - Early
engagement - Dunedin City Council. 

 

To provide the information requested the Council would need to review
every incident that the Animal Control Officers have been involved in, and
therefore pursuant to section 17 (g) of LGOIMA that the information
requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or
research, your request is declined. 

2. All records of discussions (whether in workshops, emails, or other
mediums) about the number of dogs a person can care for in public areas
that have not been disclosed in meeting agendas since the Ombudsman's
preliminary investigation in 2022.

 

To provide this information would require a search through a large
quantity of information, therefore pursuant to section 17 (g) of LGOIMA,
as the information requested cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research, your request is declined.

As we have declined to provide the information requested you are advised
that you have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Ombudsman.

 

 

 

Kā mihi

 

 

Jennifer Lapham

Mana Whakahaere Kairuruku/Governance Support Officer
Governance Group           

P  03 477 4000  |   E [5][email address] 

Te Kaunihera a Rohe o Ōtepoti - Dunedin City Council

PO Box 5045, Dunedin 9054

New Zealand

[6]www.dunedin.govt.nz

 

 

 

 

 

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