Whanganui District Council is reviewing its Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw, and we want to hear your feedback.
Dogs are part of everyday life in Whanganui. Our approach to dog control is focused on keeping people safe, supporting responsible dog ownership and making sure everyone can enjoy shared public spaces.
Dog control explained
Under the Dog Control Act 1996, councils must have a dog control policy to set the direction for how dogs are managed across the district. The policy is supported by the Dog Control Bylaw, which sets out how the policy is applied in practice.
The bylaw helps the council to:
- prevent nuisance caused by dogs
- protect public safety
- set dog access rules in public places
- require dogs to be under control where needed
- ensure dog owners clean up after their dogs
- manage the number of dogs kept on a property.
Why we’re reviewing this now
All bylaws must be reviewed at least every five years. If a bylaw is not reviewed within two years of its scheduled review date, it automatically lapses.
What’s changing
The review focuses on improving clarity, usability and legal transparency by:
- updating and clarifying definitions (including nuisance, menacing and dangerous dogs)
- more clearly addressing dog attacks and nuisance behaviour
- improving alignment with the Dog Control Act 1996
- clearly stating the council’s legal authority and enforcement powers
- simplifying language so the rules are easier to understand
- ensuring consistency between the policy, the bylaw and online dog access maps.
The overall approach to dog control in Whanganui remains the same.