Dog owners angry over on-leash law
FOUR MILE BEACH
A NUMBER of dog owners who regularly walk their pets and let them run loose on Four Mile Beach, have expressed their outrage at Council’s decision to enforce the on-leash law.
“This is spoiling what has been part and parcel of living in this part of the world. This is what we have got used to. The majority of dog owners who go down to the beach are responsible and it’s unfair a few unruly animals are spoiling it for the rest of us,” said one angry dog owner.
In fact, this is the very problem. There are a few irresponsible dog owners who are causing the problems because they have no control of their untrained dogs. Staffordshire bull terriers are the most feared on the beach.
“I have a small dog which I keep on a leash and last week I had to fend off a ‘staffie’ and shout at its owner to do something. I am now hesitant to go back to the beach,” said Jeannie, who is one of many women who no longer take their dogs to the beach.
According to a Council spokesperson, officers have responded to numerous dog attacks in the past few months that primarily involve dogs not being walked on leads. This has prompted officers to focus their efforts in this area.
The area around Four Mile Beach Park has never been an off-leash area, though it has recently come to Council officers’ attention dog walkers are not abiding by these zones.
There is a 400-metre-long, off-leash area at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, south of Martin Scullett Drive. Dogs must be on a lead anywhere north of Martin Scullett Drive.
A map is available on Council’s website at: douglas.qld.gov.au/business/local-laws-and-policies/local-law-2-animal-management/
Council’s Operational Plan for the 2017/2018 year has an Animal Management Education Campaign initiative in it.
“Officers are targeting an education campaign and as such, no one has been fined for walking their dog off a lead. However, continued non-compliance by repeat offenders may result in fines being issued.
“Douglas Shire Council is currently reviewing off-leash areas across the shire.
“The proposed new off-leash areas will be released after the local law review is complete and new laws go to public consultation early next year,” the spokesperson said.
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