YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Sharing spaces With over 3000 dogs registered with Lane Cove Council, our open spaces are being utilised now more than ever to exercise and socialise our canine friends. For dog owners, it is really important that they respect and comply with rules around whether public spaces are designated as either on or off leash.
According to Council, the demand for access to both on leash and off leash areas at our sports grounds and open space areas is ever increasing. Our local parks also attract residents of other localities who bring their dogs to Lane Cove for exercise and recreation. There are currently 17 different parks and reserves across the Lane Cove LGA where people are allowed to take their dog off leash (see www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/offleash for full details). Outside of these areas, dogs are required to be on a leash, with fines for dog owners that do not comply. Various penalties apply, but generally as per s12A (1) of the Companion Animals Act, there is a $220 fine where a dog is Not Under Effective Control, ie. not on a leash or secured. Lane Cove Council’s 2018/19 Operational and Delivery Plan outlines a commitment to improve some existing spaces and that it also intends to consult with the community about any new identified spaces that may be possible to convert to offleash areas in the future. Can I let my dog off leash in bushland? The short answer is no. Although the bush tracks throughout Lane Cove are a great place to exercise our dogs, they must be on a lead. Ian Partridge has been a local bushcare volunteer for over 20 years and says that there are several issues associated with dog owners allowing their animals to run free. “We see people either walking or running with their dogs all the 28 TVO AUGUST 2018
TOP 6 BREEDS IN LANE COVE: • Labrador and Golden Retriever • Maltese • Cavoodle • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel • Jack Russell
There is no bushland in Lane Cove where you are allowed to take your dog off leash
time in the bush and usually there are no issues as they have them on a lead. However, occasionally we see dogs running off leash, generally ahead of their owner so that the owner isn’t aware what they’re up to – whether they are going off the designated tracks and chasing wildlife or going to the toilet which we may later step or kneel in as we work.” Ian says that the Lane Cove bushland is home to a wide array of ground dwelling birds and reptiles including bower birds, turkeys, wrens, ducks, skinks, water dragons and even echidnas which can be disrupted by dogs who run through the bush away from the main tracks. Even the dog’s scent can discourage native wildlife to use an area for their habitat or food source. Additional risks of letting dogs off lead in bushland include an increased chance of them picking up ticks, or eating fox droppings which can spread disease. Dogs can also disperse weed seeds that become stuck to their coat when running through the bush. “There is no bushland in Lane Cove where you are allowed to take your dog off leash and this rule exists for very good reason. Fortunately, most dog walkers adhere to the rules,” says Ian. Owners exercising their dog in shared use parks such as sports fields or off leash areas need to take responsibility to avoid any likelihood of their dog reacting to other users. On average, Council formally deals with up to 4 or 5 dog attack/ dog rushing matters each year. Off leash or nuisance dogs can be reported to Council via the Snap Send Solve app, which will enable them to actively deal with dog owners who don’t do the right thing.
