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Welcome to our community for dog owners, dog lovers and people interested in all things hound, pooch and puppy in Waitaki
This is your space to ask us questions and share ideas about dogs in Waitaki. We'll also be using this space to get your feedback on the dog related services, policies and activities that Council manages.
Last year we consulted on updating the Dog Control Policy and Dog By Law for the Waitaki District.
Elements of the new By Law were trialled between December and July 2025, allowing Dogs On Lead in the Oamaru CBD, Harbour Street and North End Shops. At a Council Meeting on 29 July 2025 these changes were adopted, with Harbour Street Dogs On Lead between sunrise and sunset only.
Thank you to everyone who filled out our engagement survey, or made a submission on the proposed Dog Control Policy and By Law.
Welcome to our community for dog owners, dog lovers and people interested in all things hound, pooch and puppy in Waitaki
This is your space to ask us questions and share ideas about dogs in Waitaki. We'll also be using this space to get your feedback on the dog related services, policies and activities that Council manages.
Last year we consulted on updating the Dog Control Policy and Dog By Law for the Waitaki District.
Elements of the new By Law were trialled between December and July 2025, allowing Dogs On Lead in the Oamaru CBD, Harbour Street and North End Shops. At a Council Meeting on 29 July 2025 these changes were adopted, with Harbour Street Dogs On Lead between sunrise and sunset only.
This is a public space to share some general feedback or your thoughts on owning a dog in Waitaki (You'll need to be registered on this site to add your feedback here - if you'd rather not register, you can do our survey instead)
You need to be signed in to comment in this Guest Book. Click here to Sign In or Register to get involved
These key changes sound quite reasonable, thanks for your good work.
Kelly
about 1 year ago
The United Kingdom is a good example of how a very heavily populated place can accomodate dogs in a manageable way. People are allowed to take dogs on public buses, trains, cafes, pubs and shops and are trusted to do this responsibly. For example you are not going to take your dog on a bus at peak hour or take a puppy who is not trained into a pub to run amok. I would just like to be treated as a responsible adult. Let the animal control people deal with the few who are not responsible. There might be a period of time where dogs need to get used to the freedom that they could enjoy and learn the limits of their behaviour and owners need to see where the limitations are but in time it wouldn't be a problem. People do this with their young children all the time. Dogs can learn in the same way. We do need to act responsibly in the picking up poo department and fines could be instituted to deal with that. And it's not only the older people responsible for this, just by the way. Can we please free up the town for dogs and the people who love them.
Annabel
almost 2 years ago
I think Oamaru is very lucky to have place like scotts the beaches where we can take our dogs all year around. Would be nice to see the town countine to ve dog friendly and hope bad owners don’t ruin it. And that people start picking up there dog poop especially the older people. Thank you for opportunity to express.
These key changes sound quite reasonable, thanks for your good work.
The United Kingdom is a good example of how a very heavily populated place can accomodate dogs in a manageable way. People are allowed to take dogs on public buses, trains, cafes, pubs and shops and are trusted to do this responsibly. For example you are not going to take your dog on a bus at peak hour or take a puppy who is not trained into a pub to run amok. I would just like to be treated as a responsible adult. Let the animal control people deal with the few who are not responsible. There might be a period of time where dogs need to get used to the freedom that they could enjoy and learn the limits of their behaviour and owners need to see where the limitations are but in time it wouldn't be a problem. People do this with their young children all the time. Dogs can learn in the same way. We do need to act responsibly in the picking up poo department and fines could be instituted to deal with that. And it's not only the older people responsible for this, just by the way. Can we please free up the town for dogs and the people who love them.
I think Oamaru is very lucky to have place like scotts the beaches where we can take our dogs all year around. Would be nice to see the town countine to ve dog friendly and hope bad owners don’t ruin it. And that people start picking up there dog poop especially the older people. Thank you for opportunity to express.