Permit needed for more than 2 dogs | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Hastings district councillor Norm Speers visited Beverley Downey and her nine poodles and admitted the dogs were well looked after in a tidy home. But, he said, letting Ms Downey keep all the dogs could set a precedent.

The council's animal control bylaw said people who showed they were responsible dog owners and who had suitable facilities, may be granted the opportunity to keep more than two dogs in an urban home.

They would have to apply for a permit and, if the dogs proved to be a nuisance at any time, the permit could be revoked.

The permit would be subject to owners being able to control their dogs at all times.

The council's bylaw policy, released in 2009, said there were more than 7500 dog owners and nearly 11,000 registered dogs in the district.