This document discusses a conflict over whether to allow pet dogs in Rotorua, New Zealand's central business district. Some city councilors voted against a proposal to allow dog owners to walk their dogs in nearby parks due to public safety concerns. However, others like a local businessman argued that dogs are like family and the rule discourages people from visiting the area. While some steps were taken to gather public input, the issue remained unresolved.

1. Pet Dogs in
Rotorua,
New Zealand
Google Images.
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2. ◦ TOPIC
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Summary of the conflict
Image
Parties involved
Examination of
resolution already
attempted
recommendations
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references
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3. This conflict is about Rotorua’s central business district where
the dog owners were not allowed to have their dogs on the
premises. According to Jim Nicklin, council regulatory and
support services manager, Rotorua’s dog control by law was due
to be reviewed in late 2010 but it was placed on hold while the
council waited for the government’s review for the dog control
act.
They didn’t eventuate. The proposed by law changes were that
it would allowed dog owners, to take their dogs for a walk in
surrounding parks, who were living in the central city. They
would have been allowed to walk their dogs in Kuirau Park, on
the village green at the lakefront and in the government gardens.
But there were some councilors who voted against this proposal
and were of view that they did not want to risk the safety of the
general public.
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4. Moreover, Mike McVicker (Economic and regulatory
committee chairman) was of view that they want to attract
people to the central business district, not put them off, and by
not allowing dogs in the premises; they were not at all
attracting people. Mike lives in the central city; he owns a
small dog and hoped locals would push councilors to allow the
dogs in the city.
Brett Marvelly, a businessman in Rotorua, also shows his
views regarding this issue. He said, many people consider
their dogs as a part of their family. According to him, council
should allow this to happen, as there are many other dogfriendly cities around New Zealand.
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5. According to Frank Emirali, McKenzie Fashions owner, he
always kept his two dogs with him inside his shop but he was
aware that he is not allowed to take the dogs out in the city.
His views were that this was the time for the city councilors to
grow up and got real. They should have allowed people to take
their dogs out and let them walk through the city.
There were many people who want the councilor to allow the
dogs in the city but few people were against this law and were
of view that they are worried about the general public safety.
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6. https://www.google.co.in/search?q=baby+with+german+shepherd+dog&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=rVRfUp7kHsrhkAXBlo
HoDQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=xjBmszZKmaYObM%3A%3BOSXLpsnRgqC48M%3Bhttp
%253A%252F%252Fwww.aplacetolovedogs.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F03%252Fgerman-shepherd-andbaby.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.aplacetolovedogs.com%252F2013%252F03%252Fgerman-shepherd-dog-andbaby%252F%3B500%3B413
According to Brett Marvelly, businessman in Rotorua, dogs are just like family
members for some people. They treat them as a part of family.
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7. The parties involved in this issue were Rotorua’s district’s
Councilors and local people. Local people wanted to convince
the councilor’s to change their mind about the pet dogs. Local
people want to change that they should be allowed to take out
their dogs in the government gardens and the places like
Kuirau Park, on the village green at the lakefront.
There were some other people involved like Jim Nicklin
council regulatory and support services manager who was of
the same view as the local people. He also want to take his dog
out in the gardens and parks.
7

8. Also, mike McVicker(Economic and regulatory committee
chairman) said that they want to attract people to the central
business but by not allowing dogs in the owner’s premises
they were actually distracting the people. He also owns a small
dog and wished that local people would convince the
councilors to allow the dogs in the city.
Brett Marvelly, a businessman in Rotorua and Frank Emirali,
McKenzie Fashions owner, also shows their views on this
issue. Like the local peoples, they both also wants that the
councilor should allow people to take their dogs out for a walk
in the city.
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9. Mr. Nicklin took a step regarding this issue. He said all
Rotorua’s registered dog owners would receive a copy
of the proposed dog control by law in the mail in early
May with their pets registration reminder notice. The
closing day for submission was Friday, June 29.
Councillor’s would then hear submissions the by law
on July 27 and if they agreed to any change, the revised
law would be formally adopted at a council meeting set
down for August 16.
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10. 
Councillor's of Rotorua district were not in favor to take the
pet dogs out in the city or in public areas due to some safety
reasons for the general public. No doubt councilor’s were
somewhere right at this point because Rotorua is a tourist
place. Many tourists visit Rotorua. For the safety reason, this
decision was somewhere correct.
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But according to some people, dogs are like family members
for them. They treat them very well just like their family
member. So the councilors should understand the feelings of
people for their dogs.
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11. 
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Councilors should have allowed them to take their dogs out
but under some conditions.
Conditions like, if people wants to take their dogs out for a
walk in public parks or gardens, then the owner will be
responsible if the dog cause any harm to someone.
People should be asked to be with their dog all the time in any
public area.
People should also arrange the training classes for their dogs.
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12. 
If any pet dog is found in the city or streets without the
owner, then the owner will be responsible for that and he may
have to pay a fine as well, if the dog damages anything in the
vicinity.
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13. 
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barnett, sandra, and susan o'rourke. Communication organization and innovation. 3rd rd
ed. N.p.: n.p., 2011. Print
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-dailypost/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11057214. N.p., n.d. Web. 2013
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Mayuresh
Prabhjot
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