Auckland runner Stacey Hart, who was knocked down and hurt by dog at Takapuna Beach, wants better signage and enforcement of rules around dogs at the beach.

A runner who was "hit full force" and injured by an excited labradoodle-type dog at a popular Auckland beach is hitting out at the council.

Belmont woman Stacey Hart had just started her run on Tuesday, shortly after 10am, a time when dogs are prohibited on Takapuna beach, when she was hit below the legs and knocked onto hard sand

"I didn't see him ... I was hit full force behind the legs and landed on my bum," Hart said. "I was in an extreme amount of pain. The owners were concerned but I was in shock and pain a lot."

Rebecca Moore/Stuff Belmont woman Stacey Hart was knocked down by a dog at Takapuna Beach on Tuesday.

Hart was a dog-lover, and previous dog owner, but said it was the second time she had been injured and "there's obviously an issue".

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"It's a massively popular beach."

Since Tuesday's incident, Hart had seen a doctor and physiotherapist, and had been taking anti-inflammatories and painkillers to cope with "extreme" pain in her tailbone, lower-back and neck.

Hart blamed Auckland Council saying signs on the beach were inconsistent and needed to be updated.

"I want to make sure it doesn't happen to other people," she said, fearing next time a child or elderly person could be a victim.

ZIZI SPARKS/STUFF In November 2017, Stuff found signs promoting different rules for dogs along Takapuna Beach and one entrance with no sign at all.

"It's more the councils [fault]. Their signs are inconsistent ... all their signs need to be updated."

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Jan O'Connor said there was no enforcement of the rules that she had seen.

"There's never been a ranger."

Auckland Council manager of animal management Sarah Anderson said of the 32 dog-access signs installed at the beach, only two needed replacing.

Anderson recommended people checked the Takapuna Beach rules on the council's website.

However, Hart didn't think people would check the website. She said all the signs should be replaced with ones listing dogs could be walked on or off the leash, as well as highlighting the $300 fine for breaking the rules.

TOM DILLANE/FAIRFAX NZ A decidedly unmenacing golden retriever walking Takapuna Beach.

Since the incident, Hart had spoken to other people seriously injured by dogs at the beach, and seen comments on social media telling stories of whiplash, twisted knees and concussion.

Some thought it was now time to ban dogs from the busy city beach.

Many people commented on inconsistent and confusing messages on signs.

Hart called the council and, following additional queries from Stuff, had two calls back about the incident. She was assured new signs would be put up.

Anderson said ​Auckland Council physically inspected the signage at Takapuna Beach from Hauraki Corner to Milford Marina last summer and would do the same this year.

The process was expected to be completed by the end of October.

Rebecca Moore/Stuff Stacey Hart has been injured twice herself and has spoken to others injured by dogs on Auckland's Takapuna Beach.

"Dog owners are encouraged to look for signage to make sure they are following the rules which vary from beach to beach," Anderson said.

Animal management had received four complaints about dogs on Takapuna Beach from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 - three for breach of bylaw and one for aggressive dog behaviours.

Anderson said she could not provide specific information about the numbers of infringements at Takapuna Beach, but said council had issued infringements for failure to have dogs under control or on a leash in a public area.

TOM DILLANE/FAIRFAX NZ Milly impatient to get moving at a time when she's allowed to be off leash.

Residents and the local board had also raised concerns, Anderson said.