Keeping your dog safe in our region

Our regional parks have specific information on dog control. 

There may be further precautions that you need to take if there is a pest control operation happening in the area, or if there is a toxic algae bloom in a waterway that runs through the park.

To prepare for your visit, you should always:

• Check the regional park page for notices
• Check for signage at the entrance

Signage in parks changes regularly. Even if you are a frequent visitor, keeping an eye out for new notices is important for keeping your dog safe.

There are many parks and reserves in our region where other organisations might be undertaking pest control. To keep your dog safe in these locations you should always:

• Check for warning signs at park entrances
• Keep your dog on a lead until you are sure that it is safe and permitted to remove it
• Keep your dog with you and stay on the tracks
• Keep your dog from scavenging on animal carcasses or interacting with any devices

Find out about our current pest control operations.

During hot dry weather, toxic algae blooms can form in rivers, making the swimming sites especially dangerous for people and dogs.

Toxic algae is poisonous to people and dogs if ingested. A piece the size of a 50c coin is enough to kill a dog. Dogs are most at risk as they like the smell and taste of dried toxic algae, they are most susceptible when mats wash up at the river edges.

We monitor popular swimming spots over summer and issue warnings when dangerous blooms occur. There will be signage up near the area when an alert has been issued. However, we recommend that people learn how to spot toxic algae.

Find out more about what toxic algae looks like.

If there has been an alert issued, or you think you have spotted a toxic algal bloom:

• Keep your dog on a lead
• Keep your dog out of the water
• Ensure it does not eat any algal mats
• Check the LAWA website for live updates on where it is safe to swim

Sometimes, dead animals and fish can be swept down rivers, or wash up on beaches. Be sure to keep your dog away from these dead animals, as they can be harmful.

Dogs are extremely vulnerable to 1080 poisoning. As a dog owner it is important to be aware of the risks, and the ways which 1080 poisoning can be prevented.

The best thing you can do to ensure your dog’s safety is to stay informed about any operations that are happening, and ensuring you follow the guidelines in place. All Greater Wellington 1080 operations will be made public on our website.

Following 1080 operations, if there is a large flooding event it can cause a risk to dogs in areas outside of the operational area. This is because poisoned possums can wash down streams, and end up beaches. If a flood event occurs and this becomes a risk, signage will be installed for the caution period and warnings will be issued.

Find out about Greater Wellington 1080 operations in our region.

As well as our operations, Department of Conservation and OSPRI are also involved in 1080 pest control. We strongly recommend all dog owners stay up to date with these pest control operations in our region, not just those that we are leading.

Protecting your dog from 1080

Read more here

date_range Published 27 Mar 2023

Download now (PDF 735 KB) get_app

Other 1080 operations in our region

Aerial possum control project – East Harbour Regional Park – central area, Northern Forest

Posted 27/5/22, updated 2/11/22, updated 14/11/22, updated 26/1/23

Toxic baits and possum carcasses pose a threat, particularly to children and dogs. Children should be kept under strict supervision in the treatment area.

Danger to dogs

Possum carcasses can kill your dog. Please be mindful that the carcasses may come downstream from the control area onto beaches, particularly after heavy rain. Keep your dogs out of the control area until the warning signs have been officially removed. See map for detail about the treatment area. We also strongly recommend keeping dogs out of the rest of the park.  By doing so, you will be putting your dog at risk.  Dogs must be on leads at all times in the park, and muzzles are also highly recommended while warnings are in place. We have a limited supply of free muzzles to give away - please contact eastharbour.ranger@gw.govt.nz or call Jo Greenman on 027 467 3076. 

If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned, take it to the vet immediately.

OSPRI undertook an aerial operation to target possums on 15 November 2022.  Cereal pellets containing the pesticide sodium fluoroacetate (1080) were applied. This operation will help reduce the possum population to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB). This will have additional conservation benefits for native birds and bush. Possums eat the forest canopy and prey on native birdlife, including eggs and chicks.

Aerial control is also effective at controlling other introduced predators such as ship rats and stoats. Deer were not specifically targeted by this operation. They are not a protected species, and as a result Greater Wellington did not require OSPRI to use a deer repellent in baits used.  This decision was made with support from the local community and conservation groups, in line with the objectives of protecting this designated Key Native Ecosystem. Prior to the operation private hunters had been given the opportunity to hunt deer within East Harbour Forest.

The bait is now non-toxic as of January 2023, however the caution period is still in place until  carcasses have broken down (this can take up to 8 months after the date of application). After this time signs are removed, and you can resume normal activities in the area. Please take a precautionary approach.

Warning signs were placed at all main access points to the operational area and everyone must follow the cautions on the signs. Please report suspected vandalism or unauthorised removal of signs.

There is not a health risk when using this area as long as you follow the instructions.

• Do not handle any bait or allow children to wander unsupervised. The baits are dyed green.
• Do not take game from within a two kilometre radius of the operational area for human or pet consumption until the warning signs have been officially removed.
• Do not bring dogs into the treatment area until the warning signs have been officially removed.

For further information please contact OSPRI directly on 0800 482 463, or go to their website.

Download the Northern Forest treatment area map (JPG 1.2 MB)

Download a fact sheet about this control operation

Prevention is better than any treatment available for poisoned dogs. Our advice is to familiarise yourself with the risks, and take the time to check for warnings that are in place in parks and reserves before you go.

If you suspect that your dog may have eaten toxic algae, a poisoned carcass, or toxic bait, it is important that you take it to the nearest vet immediately.

Make sure to tell your vet what you think your dog has eaten, so that they can give it the best treatment as quickly as possible.