Some dog owners have opposed the law formulated by the district council, which prohibited dogs running free in certain areas of the Timaru's Science Reserve. The proposal presented by Environmental Services Manager Rick Catchpowle had given way to the emergence of 35 dog owners protesting at the reserve.

According to the recommendation of Mr. Catchpowle, the dogs should be restrained from the areas of main walkway track in the reserve, including the roadway and the "railway" track on the northern side of the reserve.

In response to the proposal, the protesting dog owners emphasized that the areas allowed for the dogs to move freely were not suitable. The council was responsible to create a safe environment for the all the users, therefore along with restraining dogs from certain areas in the reserve, they were also looking forward to restrain vehicles in certain areas.

Presently, the council has only issued laws on restraining dogs from certain areas, to which the protesters have demanded for evidences that forced them to take such an action. In response to the demand made by protestors, Mayor Janie Annear has assured that they will be given the statistical records.

As per Ms. Annear, "Every other track is available [and] all of the open areas, apart from playgrounds and picnic areas. It was the best that we could do for everybody”.