Katrina Warren: TV vet takes aim at Sydney dog owners

TV vet Katrina Warren has taken aim at Sydney dog owners in an extraordinary spray on social media.

TV vet Katrina Warren has taken aim at Sydney dog owners.

Warren has launched an extraordinary spray on social media, claiming dog owners need to be more responsible.

“I love dogs, I do, and I’m lucky enough to have made a career out of working with dogs,” Warren began in the wordy Facebook on her public page.

“The recent increase in dog numbers means there are more people than ever enjoying the company of dogs, but also more dogs than ever are out and about in public places. Some of the behaviour I am witnessing by some dog owners is driving me more than a little crazy.”

Katrina Warren has taken dog owners to task. Picture: Chris Pavlich Photography

Warren said she simply needed to get “something off my chest”, separating her post into sub headings.

She started with: “PLEASE PUT YOUR DOG ON A LEAD”.

“Why has this become so difficult?” she wrote.

“This includes cafes, walking on the footpath and at parks that are not designated off-leash. It is for your dog’s safety, as well as the safety of other dogs and people.

“It has become impossible for me to walk around my local area without meeting at least 3 off-leash dogs each time, and cafes seem to attract off-leash dogs.

“I don’t understand it – your dog may be friendly, but how do you know how the dog they run up to will react? And why is it OK for your dog to be annoying to others?

“I’ve witnessed some dangerous things with fights, knocked-down tables, terrified kids and boiling coffee going all directions.”

Warren has been a fixture on Australian television for decades, starting on Totally Wild in 1994. She has also appeared on Harry’s Practice, Dancing With The Stars and Housecat Housecall.

She criticised dog owners for allowing their dogs to “say hello” without invitation.

Katrina Warren with Chilli and Storm at her home. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“My dog just wants to say hello is usually the excuse people give when their dog has no recall, but why would you let your dog jump in the face of a dog on a lead that you don’t know?” she said.

“It can go pear-shaped VERY quickly, and I have witnessed some dreadful dog fights as a result of this. Please work on your recall or don’t let them off the lead. I just want to walk Chilli in peace.”
Warren also addressed what she claimed is a “poodemic”.

“If your dog does a poo on a footpath at night, it might be a shock to learn that you still need to pick it up, even if there were no witnesses,” she said.

“I know it’s hard to get your head around, but I’m getting sick of giant piles of poo on the footpath waiting in the morning!

“Rant over, thanks for listening …. and of course, I know that most people do the right thing!”