Council urges responsible pet ownership over school holidays

School holidays are a time when many of our residents and visitors get out and about taking advantage of the great beaches in our region, including those special places where dogs can be exercised off leash. 

Unfortunately this is also a time when uncontrolled dogs can attack other animals or people, inflicting injury, fear, or just simply being a nuisance to others on the beach.

Council is reminding dog owners to:

• Make sure your dog is under control either on a leash or you have good verbal command over it.
• Don't let your dog be a nuisance to others.
• Exercise your dog in the right places, check for signs.
• Take responsibility for your dog's actions.
• Pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste in a bin.

Council has received reports that dogs have been harassing and acting aggressively towards joggers/walkers, sometimes nipping at them as they pass.  This behaviour is unacceptable and could lead to the dog being declared menacing.

If you experience an incident where a dog has attacked or acts aggressively towards you or a member of your family, please contact council on 5329 6500 at any time.

30 June 2014