More patrols with enhanced Animal Management Service

More patrols and better response times are just two areas the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) is looking to improve with its enhanced animal management service.

With the addition of two extra staff, the Council is also bringing its after-hours animal management service in house.

STDC group manager of environmental services, Liam Dagg says the changes are designed to better respond to the needs of the district’s dispersed communities and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the animal management service.

“From Tuesday (1 October) we’ll no longer use contractors after hours, over weekends or public holidays, but will deliver the animal management service in-house 24/7, seven days a week.”

“Because South Taranaki is so large geographically it can be a real challenge responding in a timely manner, especially if we get call outs at opposite ends of the district at the same time. However, the extra resource will enable us to do more things like patrolling problem areas, educating owners, responding to calls and taking enforcement action when needed,” he says.

Mr Dagg says the changes introduced were in response to resident surveys and other feedback where residents wanted to see more resources put into an improved animal management service.

ENDS