1 May 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Horses in CBD
Enquiry
Someone's sent us a photo of a person on a horse near the drive thru of the McDonald's!
I was just wanting to get the official bylaw around horses in town. I know you can't have dogs but what about horses? It was around the Fenton St McDonald's and then went around the carpark and disappeared behind Vetro.
What's the fine if you're caught on your horse in the CBD?
I've found this [below] on the website and I assume it applies to horses too but yeah good to know what a breach of the bylaw would cost you if caught.
Dog Exercise Areas
All dogs in public places must be on a lead NOT longer than 2 metres in length, held by a person capable of restraining the dog, unless they are in an area set aside as a Dog Exercise Area.
Dogs are not permitted in the central business district (CBD) which is comprised of:
- All of Tutanekai, Hinemaru, Amohia, Whakaue, Pukaki, Arawa, Haupapa Streets.
- Fenton Street from Victoria Street intersection to Whakaue Street intersection
- Pukuatua Street from Ranolf Street to Hinemaru Street
- Hinemoa Street from Ranolf Street to Hinemaru Stsreet
- Eruera Street from Ranolf Street to Hinemaru Street
- Amohau Street from Ranolf Street to Hinemaru Street
Council provides several areas where you can exercise your dog off the lead but you must still be able to control it as if it were on a lead. If you can control your dog with a whistle, you may exercise it off a lead.
Remember, though, that dogs are not allowed in any children's play areas.
Response
The following information was provided:
You can attribute to Kurt Williams, Manager Community and Regulatory Services if you need to attribute:
There is no specific ban on riding horses in the CBD – it’s not something that’s been an issue but if it did became a problem changes could by made to current bylaws to address that.
There are some rules set out in Council’s General Bylaw and Council’s Livestock Movement Bylaw that apply to horses, including that they must be kept under proper control and prevented from wandering. Horse riders also have to abide by traffic laws if on a public road ie must ride on the lefthand side.