Western Bay's spokesdog Alfie has found a cute new mate to help him educate dog owners across the District for the coming year.

Brownie – a five-month-old Australian Terrier/Maltese/Shih Tzu pup from Te Puke – has stolen the hearts of Council's judging panel to become the face of Western Bay dogs in 2020/21, including the Western Bay Wander Dogs Summer Series.

Kushla and Glen Haenen bought Brownie for their seven-year-old son Willem.

Willem was a little shy of dogs so Kushla and Glen wanted him to learn confidence.

A teacher at Willem's school had a buddy pup that was helping the children learn the correct behaviours around dogs and this encouraged Kushla and Glen to find a wee buddy for Willem.

Brownie has turned out to be a perfect new family member – and he will be a great wee mate for Council's spokesdog Alfie, joining him in cartoon form for the 2020/21 year.

Brownie was one of more than 60 entrants to Council's Facebook competition to register for the new registration year by the end of June and post a photo of the dog with its new blue tag.

Council's compliance and monitoring manager Alison Curtis says Brownie has the 'x-factor”.

Dog owners who have not registered their dog for the 2020/21 year are reminded that they have until July 31 to register.