Alison Drover’s comment is a welcome reminder of what Byron Shire, at our core, is representing – biodiversity. How do we manage dogs in a public space? Could be read, ‘How do we manage dog owners in a public space?’. Moreover, how can we manage dog owners, so that they are more responsible re their privilege in a public space and what it means to own a dog?
I am saddened by the uptake of domestic pets to the detriment of local wildlife. Being a resident at South Golden Beach for nearly 20 years, there used to be an abundance of small native bandicoots, frill neck lizards, pink tongue lizards, water dragons and frogs in the drain at the back. Not to mention the leatherback turtles that nested at New Brighton Beach annually, but who no longer return.
I would like to reinforce the issues that Alison identifies re dogs in protected areas. We’ve heard the excuses for being there, and know the ineffectiveness of the Council bylaws and rangers in our area. This could be a self-funded position with all the breaches we see on a daily basis.
How green is having a dog?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
