R White

As a concerned local visiting The Head on Saturday, between the hours of 10.30am and 11am, I noticed three big dogs unleashed eating bones by the second carpark.

Another unleashed dog came from the opposite direction with no owner in sight.

A young boy went close to two of the dogs and had to jump back, although I couldn’t quite see the reason. My concern is that this area is for kids and families, dogs included, but controlled.

All this would be recorded on the harbour cam during the time I have provided.

I also contacted the dog control after hours service and the call taker did not even know where The Heads were, or the street.

I am not a moaner but am fully aware what happens when kids get near dogs and food.

Whakatāne District Council manager community regulation Carl Redaelli responds:

The reserve area in the vicinity of ‘Whakatāne Heads’ and Mataatua Reserve is an off-leash exercise area, where dogs are permitted as long as owners have their dog(s) under control. If you do not have good voice control or recall of your dog, it means you do not have good control. There are no rules against feeding dogs in these areas, but they must still be under control.

‘The Heads’ is a common name locals use for this area. When Council’s afterhours call centre receives a job for The Heads, they ask further questions to establish the exact location. In this case, they correctly identified the location at the end of Muriwai Drive. As there was no offence being committed, no afterhours staff were deployed.

Here’s a few reminders to help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

1. Don’t let your dog approach others uninvited. Some people may not welcome your dog’s attention.
2. If someone asks you to call your dog back, respect their request — avoid saying, "it's okay, my dog's friendly."
3. Ask for consent before letting your dog interact with other dogs or people.
4. If dog exercise areas are crowded, use a lead to navigate safely and avoid incidents.
5. Always pick up after your dog — don’t bury the waste.
6. All children's playgrounds are prohibited areas for dogs. Owners taking dogs into these areas may be issued a $300 fine if caught.

We thank the many responsible dog owners in our district for their efforts to care for their pets and ensure our shared spaces are enjoyable for everyone. For more information, visit: Responsible Dog Ownership.

If people have information about an incident, roaming stock, or a dangerous dog, please report it to the council on 306 0500.