Straight from city council A personal view, by Councillor Steve Morris

I love this time of year on the beach. As a kid, it wasn't uncommon to look as far as the eye can see in either direction and not see another soul.

These days over 46,000 of us live in the Mount and Papamoa, and the days of having the beach all to yourself are all but gone.

Even so, with 27km of golden, sandy beach from Mauao to the Kaituna Cut, there's more than enough to share with everyone and their activities.

For many, dogs are an important part of the family, and it's hard for those that have never owned a dog to understand just how much exercise they need.

As usual, it's the one per cent that ruin it for everyone else.

My dog was attacked on the beach a couple of times, and when I was a new father I didn't appreciate big dogs rushing up to my toddler, usually accompanied by the owner shouting 'he's just being friendly” from some distance away.

In both cases, I must confess wanting to clench my fist – not at the dog, but the owner!

There are now 13,000 registered dogs in the city. Controlling the one per cent of bad owners, while not adversely affecting the freedoms of other owners and non-owners alike, is a challenge.

I believe our proposed new dog bylaws strike the right balance, but we're keen to hear from you, so we get it right.

Visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/dogs to have your say or pick up a paper submission form at one of our libraries.