Dear Department of Conservation,

Please provide information that specifically lists the a) areas of conservation land and b) the walks within all DoC managed land in which:

1/ Banning dogs is at DoCs discretion. This excludes areas in which all dogs are automatically banned. For clarity's sake please also state in general terms which areas dogs are automatically banned without any discretion.

2/ Of those locations and tracks where banning dogs is at DoCs discretion, please detail those areas and tracks in which dogs are currently banned and, similarly, those areas where DoC has chosen not to ban dogs. Where dogs are banned please state the penalty or fine to the public for breaking this direction by DoC.

3/ For those locations and tracks in which dogs are currently banned, please provide the rationale in each case for why DoC has chosen to ban dogs for that location or track.

4/ For the answer to the above question, please detail the species of ground birds and protected species that are present in that area or track and the quantities in which they are present and show conclusive data to match your assertion for the ban.

5/ For each of the areas and tracks in which dogs are banned, please detail the consultation DoC undertook with a)the public b) outdoors interest groups and organisations and c) animal protection groups in the consideration of this ban.

6/ Please detail the specific cases where domestic dogs out walking with their owner on a track, in the last 10 years, have directly caused the death of a ground bird or protected species, and state the species concerned. This excludes hunting dogs out of direct of the control of the hunter and it excludes lost or feral dogs.

7/ Since not all dog related animal deaths are reported, please detail all scientific algorithms you use for calculating the percentage of animal deaths you expect dogs will incur in a given area and then relate that to the above number of actual deaths caused by dogs. Please do this so we all know science and facts are behind each decision and that it's not arbitrary personal choice.

8/ Please indicate which role in DoC is ultimately responsible for approving the banning of dogs, setting penalties and who currently holds that position regionally and nationally. Please also indicate the amount of successful prosecutions DoC instigate each year and how much cost goes into dealing with dog bans.

Kind Regards.
Mark Thomas