Proposed laws keep dogs on a short leash

(iStock)
(iStock)

It's a daily routine for Dee Sorrell and her Huntaway "BB".

An hour of off-lead exercise is the minimum under the animal welfare code.

But she's concerned about council proposals which would restrict where dogs can run loose.

"I honestly don't know what I'd do. Literally I'd probably have to start ringing up farmers and asking them if they had a spare paddock that I could let him run in, because me walking him on a lead is not enough," Ms Sorrell said.

Her previous dog Bossdin made national headlines for his ability to chase stray balls at a Dunedin golf club.

She's one of more than 360 people who've made submissions around dog control bylaws.

More than 60 percent are opposed to requirements for dogs to be on a leash around the edges of sports grounds, and not at all on marked areas.

"We're having a lot of issues with regards to fouling on sports grounds," Environment Health and Animal Services Manager Ros MacGill said.

"We would hope that if a dog was on a lead or on a leash, they would actually be more aware of what their dogs were doing and be able to pick a dog poo up."

Dogs would also have to be leashed around tracks and reserves, which could make residential playgrounds off-limits.

But there was more support for extending some areas to protect wildlife.

Following the hearings, staff will work through the issues and concerns raised before the proposals are presented to the City Council in May.

Newshub.