Paw-sitive news for Monte’s dogs1 min read

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Local dog owners fighting to keep tails wagging at Monte Cecilia Park have won a temporary victory as the High Court granted an interim order allowing dogs to continue running off-leash in the park.

This reprieve has put the brakes on the Puketāpapa Local Board’s decision to enforce an on-leash rule from 1st August.

The board voted 4-2 in favour of the ban earlier this year, but the Dog Lovers of Monte Cecilia group, now 1,200 members strong, says the council ignored the 80% of public submissions that supported keeping the area offleash.

“After three months of hard work by an amazing pack of volunteers, I’m thrilled the council has hit ‘paws’ on the enforcement,” said Jonathon Sweeney, a regular park-goer. “This shows what can happen when the community digs in behind a common cause.”

The group’s legal challenge has drawn support from across Auckland, with donations, fundraising and even grooming appointments helping cover legal costs. The judicial review is partly pro bono, but fundraising continues for the remaining costs. Meanwhile, their new website, dogsofmonte.org, is helping rally support.

The group promises to stick to the rules and show that responsible dog ownership works.

The full High Court hearing is expected later this year.

For now, the bowl remains a place where dogs – and their humans – can run free.