For a number of years I have been observing a steadily growing number of irresponsible dog owners who deliberately ignore the ‘no dog area’ of Tallow Beach.
Dogs can now be seen in the Arakwal National Park, around Taylor’s Lake and in the dunes that form part of a very sensitive and important ecosystem.
Endangered bird species like the New Zealand Pied Oystercatcher and the Little Tern frequent the beach around Taylor’s Lake.
A few weeks back I found the paw of a wallaby.
Myself and a few other concerned neighbouring dwellers have tried to ‘educate’ all those dog owners who can’t read any of the many ‘no dog’ signs with very little success, often copping all sorts of abuse.
Council and National Parks have been contacted numerous times but absolutely no action has been taken. The only spot the ranger has been sighted in beachside Suffolk is the bakery.
Dog owners don’t seem to realise that it is actually a privilege to have a beautiful off-leash area provided for their pooches. Instead they claim the whole beach.
How long can we put up with the above behaviour before the beach goes to the dogs?
Of course this is also part of the broader issue of illegal camping, fires on the beach (with firewood ripped off the few remaining trees on the dunes), rubbish left on the sand including broken glass, illegal clearing of the dunes to get that ocean view, and illegal structures/walkways on the dunes.
But don’t get me started on that!
Bernie Petry, Suffolk Park
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