Fearful Moore Park Beach residents urge Bundaberg Council to deal with off-leash dog issue

Moore Park Beach residents are making a desperate plea to council for dogs on-leash rules following a spate of attacks which have left walkers fearful.

Moore Park Beach is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Moore Park Beach residents are appealing to the Bundaberg Regional Council to enforce leashed dog requirements on popular beaches following a wave of dog attacks.

Moore Park Beach Community Association secretary Alan Corbett said the community has reached breaking point.

“I’ve been listening to a lot of stories from people who have been attacked, threatened or frightened by unleashed dogs, and it’s been an ongoing issue for years,” he said.

He hopes the council will consider implementing dogs on leash rules on beaches, and educate the public on the harm unleashed dogs pose.

In a letter submitted to the council Mr Corbett listed dozens of examples of dog attacks including a child who was bitten on the face by an unleashed dog, and a couple who was circled by a dog while walking on the beach.

Mr Corbett is calling on the council to improve signage and public education.

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Another Moore Park Beach resident spoke to the NewsMail anonymously and recalled the moment a dog “came at her” while she was walking at the beach.

She said a man holding the hands of his two daughters were walking towards her, flanked by an unleashed dog.

She said the dog stopped following the young family and came towards her.

“I said the man ‘call your dog,’ and he said what you never want to hear ‘it’s not my dog’,” she said.

She moved to turn back home but as the dog got closer she said she had no choice but to jump over a neighbour’s fence.

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“It cornered me, I was so fearful,” she said.

“I fell, I hit the ground and I was bleeding and I was screaming and luckily my husband heard me and came in to get me.”

Moore Park Beach residents say damaged and faded signage contributes to the situation.

She said she and her husband approached the council and a dog catcher, but did not get a result.

Mr Corbett said some residents were so frightened they carry golf clubs or sticks with them in case of an attack.

“The harm that unleashed dogs can do to people, to their emotional health, to their companion animals is something that people need to consider,” Mr Corbett said.

He hopes increased patrolling, clearer signage on fines and community awareness might encourage people to keep their dogs on a leash when at the beach.

The Moore Park Beach area does not currently have a free leash area or a dog park and Mr Corbett said off-leash spaces may help owners.

“I am aware of how important companion animals are to people, and the desire to see them run freely it’s just a question of if the dog is under control or not,” Mr Corbett said.