Te Puke’s Dogs in Togs event cancelled

The final event in the Wander Dogs line up has been called off owing to COVID-19 concerns.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s fifth annual event at Te Puke Memorial Pool was planned to make a splash on Saturday, 23 April from 10am-2pm.

With the pool closed to the public following the summer season, Dogs in Togs would have given Western Bay dogs the chance to take the final dip before the pool is drained.

Council’s Animal Services Team Leader Dan Barnes says “Dogs in Togs is one of our favourite events on the Wander Dogs calendar and we are so disappointed we can't have a 2022 edition.

"But COVID-19 has put us in a tight spot, and we need to put our essential day to day work first. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.”

Dogs in Togs was the final stop in Council’s Wander Dogs Summer Series, featuring eight events or walks celebrating all pooches and providing a great way to discover some lovely scenic, safe, dog-friendly spots around the Western Bay.

“The series has grown in popularity and it’s great to see many people and their dogs return year after year,” says Dan.

“We plan these months in advance and were ever hopeful to have this event go ahead, but it wasn't to be. We look forward to celebrating it in 2023.”

This year the series included a special community conversation about our new dog exercise area in Te Puke at Lawrence Oliver Park.

The proposed dog exercise area is currently out for community feedback as part of Council’s review of the Te Puke-Maketu Reserve Management Plan. A phased approach has been proposed for the development with funding available now to develop the two separate areas and a third area that has potential for community led development.

The plan for the dog exercise area includes separate fenced areas for high energy and chilled dogs, shaded areas for dog owners and both dog water and poo bag stations.

Explore the plans and share your thoughts at haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/rmp.

Feedback closes 26 April.