Following the introduction of a dedicated Animal Management Proactive Patrol team 12 months ago, there has been a 30% reduction in the number of dog owners breaking the Council’s rules in popular parks, beaches and foreshore areas.
The Proactive Patrol officers are out in the community every morning and afternoon, talking to dog owners about their pets and reminding them of the negative impact their behavior can have on other members of the community.
Over the past year, there has been a steady decrease in the number of dogs found off-leash in off-leash areas and in no-dog zones such as sports fields and playgrounds.
Acting Mayor Terry James said the proactive patrol team was put together in response to community concerns about dogs being allowed off-leash in high-traffic public areas, leading to fears that people or other animals could be attacked.
“Dog owners generally believe their dog is friendly and won’t hurt anyone. But even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can act out of character if they are scared, anxious or disturbed by other pets,” Cr James said.
“Many residents have also had negative experiences with dogs in the past and can be intimidated or frightened when they encounter a dog that isn’t on a lead.”
The dedicated proactive patrol team randomly visits 44 locations across the region during peak dog exercise times, and has had more than 8,000 interactions with the public in the past year.
In October 2022, one in four dog owners were found to be in breach of a local law.
By June 2023, this had fallen to 14%. The number of site visits where all dog owners complied with the rules has also increased to 73%, compared to just over half in October 2022.
Cr James said while there had been an improvement in dog owner behavior, there was still more work to be done.
“Our patrol officers take an educational approach when speaking to dog owners. Our aim is to explain why it is important to walk your dog correctly and give tips on how to make it easier to walk your dog on a lead, rather than to fine people. However, if we see the same owner repeatedly breaking the rules, they will be penalized,” he said.
“While the Proactive Patrol program has been successful, we can’t be everywhere at once. Ultimately, it’s up to dog owners to choose to protect themselves, their pets and the community.
