A Wellington City Councillor is criticising headlines about the mayor's dog.

Tory Whanau has been bringing her two-year-old staffy to the City Council offices since being elected.

But the landlord's put his foot down- so Teddy's being sent to live with the mayor's family, so he's not left home alone.

Councillor Diane Calvert says she has sympathy for Tory, and any impacted staff.

"Personally, I think this is just being an unnecessary distraction on our city. Especially when rates notices of 13 percent have just gone out."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Wellington City Councillor: Tory Whanau shouldn't be an exception to council's tenancy agreement
• Hounded out: Wellington mayor's dog evicted from office, leaving town
• Tory Whanau: I'll no longer be going out on a Friday night for a drink