Dog parents in Wyndham are being urged to have their say on two proposed new off-leash areas in the city.
The proposed new parks, at Cambridge Reserve in Hoppers Crossing and Alcock Road Reserve in Truganina, will take the number of dog off-leash areas accross the city to 24.
Wyndham council said demand for dedicated areas where dogs can run free in relative safety is increasing.
However the parks are controversial, with critics pointing out that there is no way of keeping them free of dangerous and aggressive dogs – or owners.
They say dedicated parks also do nothing to prevent dogs being illegally let off leash in sensitive areas near rivers, creeks and wetlands.
Social media is filled with complaints about irresponsible dog owners at dog parks clashing with others over poorly trained animals with a lack of recall skills.
Under council regulatons, aggressive and unsocialised dogs, and those that are attracted to moving objects such as bicycles, are not permitted to use off-lead areas.
Owners are required to have a leash with them at all times and must clean up any mess left by their animals.
However dog park users say council officers are rarely in attendance to enforce the rules, and it’s all but impossible to identify people who break the rules.
Some veterinary surgeons advise dog owners against using the parks because of the danger they can pose to their pets and themselves.
The council said the parks will include 1.2m high fences, double gate entries, dog bag dispensers and bins, seating, a drink fountain, agility equipment, new trees and landscaping and open space. They will also include regulatory signage as well as ‘enclosed dog park etiquette guidelines’ signage encouraging positive and safe pet ownership.
Feedback about the proposed additional parks can be left at https://theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/dog-off-leash-areas.
