Canine Earthling, Danny, lives with his human, Baywood Chase resident, Louise Wyer, and she can’t always access the beach, because at 83, Louise sometimes has mobility challenges.
Danny and some of his canine mates, including Jessie, Jaws, Penny, Ruby, Jersey, Maggie, Milo, Lily, Kumiko, Gigi, Rafi and Coco, would just like a small allocated time at the local sports field, to run and play – so much so that their pet humans have started a petition to get some changes made.
Spokeshuman for the group, Peta Fitzsimmons, says residents are not happy about recent activities by Council rangers in and around Linda Vidler Park, Baywood Chase Lake, and the Tallow Beach dog area.
‘Several dog owners face fines of $330, and others have had warnings for seemingly innocent actions, such as not having a leash on when walking from the beach to the car park, or allowing their dogs to run across an empty field with the leash off.’
Fitzsimmons says Suffolk Park lacks a designated dog exercise park, apart from the beach, despite an increasing number of dog owners.
‘The beach is not a suitable area for some dog owners. The rarely used football field in Vidler Park has become a gathering place for dog owners to socialise and allow their pets to engage in activities.
Increased rangers
‘However, recent improvements to the field and an absence of dogs in the current management plan have prompted increased ranger activity.’
The petition urges Council to consider implementing a time management plan for the park, fencing an area next to the community gardens, or establishing another suitable dog exercise area.
The petition suggests that a fenced off area next to the community gardens has a good sized square field that could be fenced and could allow for dog play.
A Council spokesperson told The Echo that consistent with councillor resolutions, their Animal Enforcement Officers regularly patrol all areas of Byron Shire, and will warn and, where necessary, fine people found to be not following the rules.
They said, ‘It has been noted by many members in our community that there has been an increasing problem of late, of dogs that are allowed to roam, or that are walked off-leash or in areas where they are not allowed’.
Ensuring the balance
‘There is always a balance between ensuring pet owners can exercise their pets, and enforcing rules to ensure the community and our wildlife are safe.’
The Council spokesperson added staff are happy to look at other underutilised reserves that have potential.
‘It is not appropriate to have an off-leash dog area on the football grounds owing to a need to avoid faecal contamination. It is also preferable that off-leash dog areas in an urban environment are fenced’.
Peta Fitzsimmons says, ‘It is our hope that Council will recognise the importance of balancing the needs of dog owners with the community’s desire for accessible recreational spaces. The current ranger actions seem disproportionate to the minimal harm caused by the dog activities in question.’
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. 
