The Dunedin City Council has started a review of its dog control policy and bylaw and recently called for feedback ahead of formal consultation next year.
Doc Coastal Otago operations manager Gabe Davies confirmed the department was involved in the process.
However, he said the recently approved 29sq km Ōrau Marine Reserve, which extends from Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula coast southwest to White Island, off St Clair Beach, would not be a factor.
Mr Davies said although driving on the foreshore of a marine reserve was prohibited under the Marine Reserves Act, dogs were not specifically prohibited in marine reserve areas.
Notably, some of the beaches within the marine reserve area were already off limits for dogs, such as Sandfly Bay, he said.
Under the Dog Control Act there were provisions to make sure dog owners took steps so their dog did not "injure, endanger or cause distress to protected wildlife".
Further, the application for the Ōrau Marine Reserve allowed for the use of vehicles over the intertidal area in certain circumstances, including launching or retrieving a vessel and lifeguard duties, he said.
When the council announced the review it said it was keen to receive feedback specifically relating to dogs at Doctors Point, the Caledonian Ground, Redwood tracks, Mosgiel Memorial Garden track, Macandrew Bay, Broad Bay, Te Rauone, Woodside Glen and coastal dune areas.
A council spokesman said "early engagement" on the review now under way included Doc as a stakeholder.
The engagement would inform any proposed changes to the policy and bylaw.
"We welcome feedback from anyone on any area they wish to discuss, including on all coastal dune areas, and all submissions are treated equally."
Formal consultation would take place next year, he said.
