Kylie Lang: Why dog parks are far too risky to exercise your pooch

Off-leash dog parks are not safe and should be avoided – a fact reinforced by the death of a five-month-old King Charles spaniel on the Gold Coast this week, writes Kylie Lang. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Dog parks are death traps, and it’s time we realised our “fur babies” are like overexcited children – they don’t play well with others if you throw them in a pen and leave them unattended.

They prey on the weakest.

As the owner of a small dog – a beloved member of our family for more than 12 years – I can’t imagine the grief if she were mauled to death.

So my heart goes out to the woman whose King Charles spaniel was killed in the Gold Coast’s Hinterland Regional Park this week.

She had taken five-month-old Honey to the park to practise recall – part of the training to become an aged-care home support dog – when a couple brought their larger pet, possibly a bull Arab, to the otherwise empty area.

Though she tried to pick up Honey, she was unable to protect her.

Gold Coast City Council is investigating the matter.

King Charles spaniel Honey mauled to death at Gold Coast dog park

There should be no finger-pointing at this devastated woman, who thought the park was safe, or necessarily at the owners of the bigger dog, but the tragedy should sound the alarm for all pet owners to steer clear.

There are more than 160 off-leash parks in Brisbane alone, and while they might be seen as part of modern living and a good move by councils, they’re far from happy playgrounds.

If you want to exercise or socialise your pooch, do it elsewhere. Dog parks are too risky, and here’s why.

They are contaminated by parasites.

Canine intestinal worms – including hookworms and roundworms that can infect a dog or human – have been identified in many dog parks across Australia, according to new research from the University of Melbourne.

Far North Queensland has the highest contamination rates, with 100 per cent of the parks tested in the region found to have the dangerous parasites.

Brisbane sits at 66 per cent – no shining beacon either.

If these parasites infect your pup or your child, prepare for vomiting, diarrhoea and anaemia.

A Toowoomba woman’s arm after she was operated on following a dog attack, that saw her need a skin graft on her left arm for a large wound she suffered as a result.

University of Melbourne professor of veterinary parasitology Rebecca Traub says regular de-worming and responsible pet ownership, such as the immediate removal of dog poo, would minimise the health risks. Ditto children wearing shoes and washing hands.

Good luck. Responsible pet ownership – and commonsense parenting – are beyond the grasp of many people.

They’re particularly unsuited to puppies and older dogs.

Certified dog trainer Nick Hof says dog parks are unsafe for puppies under six months old. Young dogs are more sensitive to experiences, so a boisterous encounter may lead to fear about all dogs.

Hof says the aim should be positive interactions only, which is why puppy classes with age-appropriate peers is the better way to go.

Older dogs, particularly nervous or shy ones, can be easily overwhelmed in dog parks, leading to fights, and all dogs can pick up bad habits.

Owners don’t pay attention.

Dog parks are “a hard no”, according to accredited dog trainer Chris Loverseed, who says they attract the type of owner who is more interested in chatting than supervising their pet.

“You’ve seen them: the ones who are oblivious to whether their dog is pooping or bothering other dogs or jumping on strangers; the ones who are caught up chasing after kids; or who have their phone glued to their ear,” Mr Loverseed says.

Dog parks attract the type of owner who is more interested in chatting than supervising their pet, according to a dog trainer. Picture: David Caird

To make matters worse, he says “social pressure” makes it hard for diligent owners to call out irresponsible or inattentive ones.

This leaves a lot of “checked-out owners” and “dogs behaving badly”.

The way I see it, there are much safer ways to socialise and exercise your pooch.

A good walk and spending time with dogs your pet has come to know in a comfortable setting win hands down.

We can’t expect dogs to gel with strangers, just as we don’t ourselves.

Animals from different packs – or households – don’t automatically get along. In fact, it is usually quite the opposite.

You can’t mess with nature.

LOVE

● The banning of “spit hoods” in watch houses. The Queensland Police Service should be crowing about the decision, not hoping it doesn’t attract media attention.

● braille House receiving the proceeds of Brisbane Airport Corporation’s lost property charity auction, via The Courier-Mail Children’s Fund. At least 25 books now will be printed for its lending library.

LOATHE

● Absurdity in action by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. She agrees to a housing crisis summit but refuses to ditch a new tax on landlords which will be passed on to renters.

● Mismanagement of DNA evidence by Queensland Health’s Forensic Scientific Service, letting violent offenders get away with crimes, and robbing the innocent of the chance for DNA evidence to clear them.

Kylie lang is associate editor of The Courier-Mail
[e-mail]