Wag ‘n Walk celebrates responsible dog owners says Mayor

29 August 2008

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams and Mayoress Jane Williams will be taking their much-loved Golden Retriever Rimu along to the Wag ‘n Walk festival in Milford on Saturday 6 September.

The 3km walk starts at the Milford Reserve, Milford Beach at 10.00 am.

A dog enthusiast, Mayor Williams says that it will be a real pleasure to take part in a celebration of well-behaved and well cared for pets.

“We are very much looking forward to meeting other North Shore dogs and their owners, and taking Rimu on the fun walk,” he says.

Despite his 14 years, Rimu is still very active and is well known on the East Coast Bays walkways and beaches.

The North Shore has approximately 12,000 registered dogs, and the vast majority never come to the notice of the council, says Mayor Williams.

“Too often, we only hear about the dogs that misbehave. “But in reality, the vast majority of our North Shore dogs are registered, well cared for and obedient.

“Like most North Shore pets, our dog is a much loved member of the family, but we are conscious that he lives in a densely populated urban area. Of course he is registered, and under control at all times.”

Mayor Williams says that council staff will also attend the Wag ‘n Walk event, handing out information and advice. Microchipping will be offered at a modest fee.

While the council is required to enforce dog licensing, it also runs a number of programmes to help dog owners manage their pets better. They include a training programme and discounted registration for certified responsible owners.

The Wag ‘n Walk festival is promoted by the SPCA (www.spca.org.nz) and Champ (www.wagnwalk.co.nz) and is supported by a number of other organisations including the North Shore City Council. The festival starts at 8.00 pm on Saturday September 6 at North Shore City's Milford Reserve.

There will be a full day of dog-related events and demonstrations, including dancing dogs, dog obedience and a New Zealand Customs drug dog display.

Mayor Williams and other local dignitaries have also recently been involved in a fundraising project for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Ceramic Dog Bowls have been decorated by celebrities including the Mayor, TV presenter Judy Bailey, yachtsman Craig Monk, SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge, and Sticky TV presenters Sam, Erin and Drew.

The bowls will be auctioned at the Grocery Charity Ball at the Sky City convention centre on September 26.

[ends]

To find out what's happening in North Shore City, subscribe to shorelife, our free monthly email newsletter packed full of events, news, projects and activities happening throughout the shore. Sign up now.

Media releases