Residents howling over footballers’ proposed dog ban

Sunday, 4 May 2025

Footballers from Eastern Suburbs AFC say they’ve had enough of dog owners not picking up faeces. (File photo)

A proposal over a popular park in Auckland’s affluent eastern suburbs provoked a dogged debate, and residents unleashed on each other, reports Jonathan Killick.

“The fields absolutely reek of dog urine and poop when the kids are playing soccer … and sharp chewed sticks are strewn all over the fields,” an impassioned submitter tells the Ōrākei Local Board.

“I’ve seen kids chased, dogs fighting and crapping in the middle of the pitch while a game was playing. None of the owners I saw took any responsibility, so it’s time for the dogs and their owners to go elsewhere,” says another.

Dogs are leaving little land mines for young footballers to trip on at Madills Farm, it was alleged in submissions.

These were among the 1649 submissions received by the board following a proposal to revoke off-leash dog status at Madills Farm Recreation Reserve, at the request of Eastern Suburbs AFC.

It’s been claimed there were 27 rolled ankles this season.

“Sadly there are too many dog owners whose irresponsibility means that their dogs leave excrement on the playing fields and also dig up holes too which are lethal for kids playing sports,” says a submitter.

Submitters in support of Eastern Suburbs AFC claimed “irresponsible dog ownership” had ruined Madills Farm Recreation Reserve for other users. (File photo)

“I support 100% banning dogs from all sports fields all year round - the change can’t come soon enough and there are plenty of other places where dogs can be walked.”

A tense meeting was held by the Ōrākei Local Board after 1649 people submitted on a controversial proposal to ban dogs from a local park.

These claims prompted an even stronger howling response from the suburb’s ratepayers and their posh pooches.

“Dogs aren’t making jokes or causing any issues at the park. Sports groups bring alcohol and dump rubbish but this isn’t prohibited?,” a submitter retorts.

“I just came back from Europe and dogs are in cafes, pubs and on trains without muzzles … Why is Auckland Council going against progression and punishing responsible dog lovers?,” other submitters say.

Lawyer Catherine Stewart told the board the proposal had hit “a raw nerve”.

“It’s a special park which has allowed locals who would have otherwise never met to become friends through their dogs. By removing this facility you will be isolating many members of the community.”

So fierce was the debate, that a lobby group has formed, telling the local paper that it threatens to “tear the community apart”.

The normally sparse auditorium of St Chads Church in Meadowbank was filled with crossed arms and a din of frustrated murmurs at April’s meeting of the local board, where a decision was set to be made.

Resident Catherine Stewart, stood and addressed elected members: “I’m a lawyer by profession, but perhaps most pertinently, I’m a proud registered owner of a labradoodle.

“The reason for such an outpouring is clear - this proposal has hit a raw nerve within our community. It threatens to take away something that is precious to us.”

The April meeting was filled with crossed arms and a din of frustrated murmurs.

Board member Penny Tucker comments: “I’m often intrigued by why the community is so passive about some [issues], but now I’ve learned we just need to put the word dog in and everybody will come along and articulate an opinion.”

Ōrākei Local Board deputy chair Sarah Powrie suggested a bit of courtesy on both sides would go a long way.

A member of the crowd turns to this reporter identifying herself as the owner of a miniature schnauzer - “we don’t have dog attacks here, it’s not like South Auckland,” she says.

“And, they can’t say that it’s dog holes causing players to roll their ankles - that’s sports!”

There were accusations in submissions that by banning off-leash dogs the football club was effectively privatising public land.

“We never asked for it to be a sports club. In fact we do not see a private sports club as a good use of public funds,” says one. “Dog owners pay rates and they deserve reasonable consideration … Democracy and majority rule are at stake here.”

Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne told dog owners and footballers they were going to have to learn to get along.

Footballers respond: “Keep in mind demographically dog owners tend to have the time and energy to lobby aggressively. Less so parents with young children. The dog lobby has been given a lot of access rights in the past decade or so. Enough is enough.”

Sensing the tension of the crowd, local board members ultimately came to the conclusion that it would best not to get either party off-side, with deputy chair Sarah Powrie suggesting it was possible to “operate together with a little bit of give and take and maturity and courtesy on every side”.

Chair Scott Milne told attendees they would have to get along, because the board couldn’t afford to buy them two separate parks.

“There’s 2500 people play football every weekend … of course there’s going to be competing interest for this land.”

He proposed to walk back the off-leash dog ban, but warned dog owners they would need to do their bit.

“If we were to retain this privilege we are going to need your help … You said you admonish owners who allow their dogs to dig up the sports field and you clean up dog faeces after owners that don’t do that. I think that’s wonderful.”

What do you think? Email sundayletters@stuff.co.nz. Please include your full name and address.