$300 fine for dirty dog owners

Owners caught walking their pooch in Wellington without a way to dispose of doggy poo will face a $300 fine.

The council is also considering whether to create Wellington's first public dog destination park a kind of canine Club Med which are popular in other cities and may introduce fines for people who feed pigeons and ducks.

The recommendations will be considered by the council's strategy and policy committee today.

The council's associate social portfolio leader, Iona Pannett, said Porirua and Manukau had passed bylaws to make owners carry poo receptacles which had successfully cut the amount of muck left behind.

"We are putting the onus on to owners to clean up after their dogs."

(....)

OTHER CHANGES

Only three dogs to be allowed at one property.

Improved access for dogs to the waterfront through the central business district.

Owners to face an exam to be registered as Responsible Dog Owners.

Yes... and who will be qualified to 'exam' them?

TIMETABLE

The full council will endorse the draft at the end of May.

Six-week public consultation period from June 26.

New policy adopted, probably in October.