20/01/2025
The Council are only giving the general public until the 22nd Feb to comment, by making a submission, on the proposed new dog bylaws. Like all things Council, the wording can be confusing and ambiguous. However, their proposed changes will serious affect many of the places and dog walking services you may be used to having available.
Firstly, most dog walker businesses will not be able to do their job at all, as Council are wanting to limit the number of dogs on leash to six. Now while that might seem like a lot to you and me, a fully trained and experienced pack walker can walk as many as 15 dogs on leash. The Council also wants to restrict "off leash" dogs to 6. I agree to that within the city parks, but many of the proposed areas fall into the larger reserve areas on the periphery of our city so if your dog gets picked up and taken for a fun time out in these areas, that service may no longer be available. Dog walkers as a group in this city are currently trying VERY hard to set some professional standards/rules in order to w**d out the cowboys. Their business and their opinions should be taken seriously. But many of them are now afraid their livelihoods will disappear if the proposals go through.
Secondly, lets talk Madills Farm. The proposal is to prohibit ALL dogs from being on the flat sports fields at ALL times, even if there is no sport going on - which of course is most of the time during the week. So, no more walking across the fields, no more throwing a ball. Ridculous. As I have been reminded by my community, this Farm was gifted to us for general recreation - not for the football club to take it over.
Anyway, I have just completed my submission. I encourage you to do the same and to have a say in this. It takes about half an hour (eye roll) and I will put the link here.
Rant over. Cheers, Julie (and Charlie 🐶)
Have your say from 20 January to 23 February 2025.
