Under the current NPDC Dog Control Bylaw, dogs are prohibited from public places in the main central business area of town, including Devon Street (between Robe and Gover), Ariki & Gill Streets (between Egmont & Gover), Egmont Street (from Ariki to Devon) and the Puke Ariki Landing.
The only exceptions are certified disability assist dogs, working police dogs, or if you happen to live within the CBD boundaries and are leading your leashed dog directly out of the area.
Last month the Going for Growth Committee met to address this issue, with the core recommendation being to move away from a blanket ban and instead transition the CBD into a leashed control area.
Early feedback has shown strong public support for allowing well-behaved, leashed dogs into the city centre.
Under the proposal, only dogs officially classified as dangerous or menacing would remain banned from the CBD.
The review is in its formal amendment drafting stage.
The committee's next step is to direct the preparation of a formal Statement of Proposal to officially amend the Dog Control Bylaw 2022.
Once the council approves this Statement of Proposal, it will be released to the public for a special consultative procedure.
This means the community will have a formal window to submit feedback and have their say prior to any changes.
Which brings us to today's Discussion of the Day:
Do you think dogs should be allowed in New Plymouth's CBD? Why or why not?
