Members of a Central Coast Council committee believe more dog attacks happen on the Coast than are reported to Council.
“Council is often blamed for dog attacks, and there is an unrealistic expectation for Council to prevent all dog attacks that occur on the Central Coast,” the committee said.
“Recent data generated from Council’s CX system showed the majority of dog attacks occur in neighbourhoods, and only a small number of dog attacks occur in public places where Rangers patrol.”
The committee, Companion Animals Working Group, said there was a need to connect with key groups in the region including the Police and RSPCA on a regular basis to discuss and tackle key issues.
Council is developing two separate Responsible Pet Ownership Policy for dogs and cats.
The Responsible Dog Ownership Policy will be high level and set clear standards and expectations, and will be used to support decision making, according to the latest meeting Minutes of the Working Group.
The Minutes were tabled at the July 27 Council meeting.
“After the Policy has been adopted, a supporting Strategy will be developed that will outline processes and procedures associated with responsible dog ownership,” the working group said.
“Furthermore, the Strategy will be more detailed and provide an action plan which supports the implementation of the Policy.
“Council will also adopt a communication campaign that will run alongside the Policy.
“The campaign will set the tone, explain what we are trying to achieve, and outline Council’s commitments and role,” said the report, accepted by Administrator Rik Hart on July 27.
“It will also outline the responsibility of the individual dog owners.
“Responsible dog ownership means more than simply loving your dog.
“Dog ownership is a serious commitment for the lifetime of the animal.”
The working group undertook a high-level review of the Policy structure and were satisfied that the draft included all critical topic areas.
The group agreed that there should be a dedicated section on backyard breeding.
Council’s community safety team is currently finalising the policy.
It is expected to be tabled at an upcoming Council meeting in the next eight weeks.
The proposed policy will then go out on public exhibition for public opinion and changes made if required.
The Strategy will follow after the Policy is adopted by Council.
Source:
June 22 Minutes
Companion Animal Working Group
Website, Central Coast Council
Responsible pet owners, in this case dogs, should be picking up ‘poo’ their ‘pet’ deposits on public lands e.g. shop fronts, around electricity poles, footpaths, unpaved sidewalks and even on the sand at the beach, to name a few. – A minority of dog owners, are selfish and disrespectful of their fellow citizens. Perhaps these owners should be confined to pacing their pet inside their front & back yards and leave their pet’s donations on their property for the owner’s benefit and enjoyment. Enough is enough – the problem is even worse during this COVID lockdown.
Absolutely well said Grace.
Also: Council requires home occupants to maintain the nature strips at their home frontages but allows dogs to poo and urinate on them, perhaps Council should be required to carry out the maintenance, How many dog walkers ensure that their pets (some of them seem to be dragged along like baggage) poo and urinate on their own nature strip frontages ?