Banks Peninsula dog owner JJ Smith with his two Jack Russells Hazel and Spruce Photo: RNZ
Hazel and Spruce are the poster dogs for a Banks Peninsula man's campaign for canine-friendly public transport.
JJ Smith lives with the two Jack Russells (aged five and six) in the "fairly isolated" town of Diamond Harbour.
When he needs to go to Christchurch for shopping, public transport involves first travelling by ferry to Lyttelton and then catching a connecting bus.
Although Hazel and Spruce have been travelling with JJ on the Lyttelton ferry for six years, currently the dogs are banned from the bus into Christchurch.
Because he doesn't like leaving the dogs at home for long periods, JJ is stuck with travelling by car every time he needs to go into town.
Watch JJ Smith on Checkpoint:
Pet ownership without the option of public transport can be tricky for people who don't have cars or vets nearby, he says.
Also, with public ferries and many restaurants and cafes in Christchurch now allowing the presence of dogs, it doesn't make sense to ban them from buses.
Although JJ concedes that not everyone is comfortable around dogs, "social exposure" in a safe environment with dogs that are on a lead and wearing a muzzle should reduce fears, he says.
Auckland and Wellington now have dog-friendly public transport, he says, and Christchurch is the only major New Zealand city that's lagging behind.
This week, as part of his four-year campaign for dog-friendly public transport, JJ made submissions to Environment Canterbury.
He proposes that dogs be allowed on public transport during off-peak times or not busy times and says the people who own them would be more than happy with that, he says.
"Dog owners are the friendliest people around, especially responsible dog owners which are the ones we're targetting."
JJ says he's "very very hopeful" that the response to his council presentation will be paws-itive.
"I got some good feedback from some of the councillors."
