Caroline1
- The reality is that dogs continue to be an important part of our lives and, during the COVID pandemic, dog ownership has increased.
- Bored dogs become distressed, disruptive and engage in behaviours such as barking.
- Unfortunately, people seem to have forgotten how to interact with dogs. They will walk up to an unknown dog, stare into their eyes (dogs see this as a threat), grab/pat them without notice (perceived as a threat) and approach/allow children to approach dogs who are tied up (where the dog cannot escape and can feel threatened), all of which are poor human behaviours. I have witnessed all of these interactions with my dog(s). Yet, despite poor social behaviour from the human, the dog will always get the blame if they react in a way that is seen to be ‘bad’/aggressive.
- People need to re-learn how to interact with dogs. In my childhood, dogs ran free and, as children, we knew not to approach unknown dogs. We would never have approached a dog who was tied up.
- Perhaps the council need to consider supporting educational programs such as the Delta Dog Safe Program and the children who participate could help to teach parents how to do the right thing.
- Dogs going to beaches to run free have no need to be territorial (which can occur at dog parks) as the beach belongs to all. I have noted, on Roches beach (which I visit frequently) people tend to put their dogs back on lead if they are approached by a person with a dog on lead or when approaching a person who does not have a dog.
- I urge the council to reconsider imposing further restrictions, particularly on Roches Beach (Canal to Mays Point). Generally the few people on the beach are there with dogs.
Contributions to this consultation are now closed for evaluation and review.