Dog Control Policy and Bylaw
Consultation has now concluded on the Dog Policy and Bylaw. We received eight responses from the community.
Councillors will deliberate the submissions on Tuesday 6 May, and we will update this page with the outcome.
Thank you for being a part of the decision-making process.
The Gore District Council has finished public consultation, hearings and deliberation, and has adopted a new Dog Control Bylaw 2025 and Dog Control Policy, which came into effect this month.
Section 10 of the Dog Control Act 1996 says that local authorities have to adopt a policy that looks after dogs in the district. The policy helps to enable people to enjoy dog ownership, make it easy to access the exercise and recreational needs of dogs, and to minimising danger, distress and nuisance dogs can cause for the community.
There were eight submissions received from the public consultation that was held in March and April of this year, two from animal welfare advocacy organisations, and six from members of the community. One submission was received after submissions closed and was not included in the formal report but they were invited to speak to Council meeting before decisions were made.
Click here to read all submissions
Respondents talked about a lack of dog exercise areas in Gore, especially in west Gore, dog droppings not being picked up by owners, desexing, awareness of where dogs need to be on a leash, and defining the word “owner” in the bylaw and policy.
The draft Dog Control Bylaw 2025 and Dog Control Policy consultation included some updates to make sure they are easy to understand and carry out. It is now clear that in places where dogs are prohibited it does not mean disability assist dogs, and maps now make it easier for owners to see where dogs are allowed to go, where they have to be on a leash and where they are able to exercise freely.
Click here to watch the Council Deliberations.
After the hearing and discussions the Council also made changes making sure that owners who restrain or confine their dogs are respecting the Animal Welfare Act 1999. A dog owner is anyone who has a dog in their possession, whether the dog is roaming or confined, unless the person holds the dog for less than 72 hours to stop it causing injury, damage, or distress, or to return a lost dog.
The Council also asked staff to see if there were places west Gore that could be new dog exercise areas, to look for places for new dog-waste bins and better signs letting people know if their dogs are allowed to be there, need to be on a leash or that it is a dog exercise area. The Council also asked staff to see what other councils are doing around desexing unclaimed dogs before they are adopted.
The adopted Dog Control Bylaw 2025 and Dog Control Policy became effective from 14 May 2025.
