Each year, Sunshine Coast Council receives around 1,000 reports of roaming dogs. Dogs escaping from open doors, garages, or gates left open, are the leading causes of dog attacks and menacing complaints received by Council.
If your dog is out roaming, they could also become lost or even be hit by a car!
Dog parent and Managing for Growth Portfolio Councillor Winston Johnston said this week Council is running an important dog safety campaign to encourage residents to remember their pet ownership responsibilities.
“Owning a pet comes with a lot of positives, but it also comes with important responsibilities to your dog and your community,” Cr Johnston said.
“This Dog Safety Week we are reminding people to always keep your dog safely enclosed on your property – no matter how friendly or well-behaved your dog is.
“Even friendly dogs can get excited when new people – like delivery drivers – come to your house.
“Your dog can jump and scratch, or lick and bite, which can be confronting and harmful to the visitor.
“Keeping your dog safely enclosed on your property, or on a lead – unless in a designated off lead area – ensures their safety, as well as the safety of other people and animals.”
Dog lover and Managing for Growth Portfolio Councillor Christian Dickson said that although most Sunshine Coast residents do the right thing, 604 roaming dogs were impounded last financial year.
“Council takes community safety very seriously and Council had 318 dog attacks, and 423 menacing incidents reported last financial year, with 14 attacks involving children under 12,” Cr Dickson said.
“My dogs are too important to me to risk not securing them on my property.”
“They both very friendly and well trained but if a car backfired, another dog barks, or a bird were to fly past – I couldn’t predict how they would react to the unexpected.
If the gate was open, they might instinctively respond or run into traffic.”
“Let’s work together to keep our pets, people and wildlife safe.”
“Protect your mate and shut the gate,” Cr Dickson said.
Dog Safety Week Pop-up Booths
This Dog Safety Week, Council’s Response Services Team will be out and about at popular dog-friendly locations to answer your questions and share tips on:
Keeping your pet’s registration up to dateUnderstanding off-leash areasManaging barking dog concernsProtecting local wildlife.
You can take home a pet safety bag filled with fun and educational activities for kids.
Plus, discover ‘Leave It’, a free dog training app designed to help owners teach their dogs to avoid wildlife. Learn more at leaveit.com.au.
LocationDateTime Stumer Creek (dog off leash beach), CoolumMonday 20 Oct7am-9am Elizabeth Daniels dog off leash park, BuderimTuesday 21 Oct3.30pm-5.30pm Mooloolaba Spit, MooloolabaWednesday 22 Oct7am-9am La Balsa Park, Parkyn Pde, BuddinaThursday 23 Oct7am-9am Buhk Family Park, Alexandra HeadlandFriday 5 July3.30pm-5.30pm
Maleny Showgrounds, Maleny
*Tickle Park, David Low Way, Coolum Beach
Saturday 25 Oct
Saturday 25 Oct
8am-10am
2pm-4pm
*Ballinger Beach (dog off leash beach), CurrimundiSunday 26 Oct7am-9am Weekend Highlights
Saturday 25 October*
Join the Behaviour Change Team for ‘Leave It’ Wildlife Avoidance Training. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
