Revealed: Council data shows where dog attacks are happening in Ballina

Councillors will discuss amendments to the Companion Animal Management policy and it may include the establishment of new off-leash areas.

Amendments to the Companion Animals Policy will be discussed by councillors at Thursday’s council meeting.

A total of 168 dog attacks have been recorded in the Ballina Shire in 22 months, between July 1, 2019, and April 30, 2021.

Council data confirmed that, in that period, the area with the most attacks was Ballina with 40, followed by Lennox Head with 26, Alstonville with 25, West Ballina with 15, plus East Ballina and Wollongbar with 11.

Skennars Head, Cumbalum, Fernleigh, Tintenbar, Brooklet, Cabbage Tree Island, Coolgardie, Uralba, Empire Vale, Pimlico, Meerschaum Vale, Wardell, South Ballina and Broken Head all recorded under 10 dog attacks in that period.

Council rangers closely monitor dog reports in nominated dog off-leash areasand in recent years a relatively low level of incidents have been recorded.

In 66 cases out of those 168 the attack was upon a person, while in another 80 cases the attack was on another animal.

In 22 cases the attack was on both a person and another animal.

In 57 cases, the injury required veterinary or medical treatment.

Dog attacks in off-leash areas in those 22 months, seven happened in The Spit, three in Ballina Heights, two in Seven Mile Beach, two in The Gap Road in Alstonville and none in Compton Drive, East Ballina.

Source: Ballina Shire Council.

A Draft Companion Animal Management Plan will be discussed by Ballina Shire Council at their meeting on Thursday.

Councillors will discuss the establishment of a dog off-lead exercise area at Killarney Park in Wollongbar.

“The Wollongbar District Park is also currently under construction, which is located adjacent to Killarney Park,” the document said.

“Given the proximity of the two playgrounds, upon completion there will not be a need for the Killarney Park playground equipment to service local residents.

“As a result, there is an opportunity to investigate alternative uses of Killarney Park, including the potential for an off leash dog facility.”

In the majority of incidents recorded in the last 22 months in the Ballina Shire that involved both an animal and person, the person

A report to councillors stated the next review could investigate the provision of additional off-leash dog exercise areas in Wardell, to reflect future changes to the population in that area.

It was proposed to install another two dog poo dispensers at Shaws Bay now that the path around the Pop Denison Reserve area is completed, and one at the new section of the coastal path near Boulders Beach.

The council staff report to councillors stated that dog attacks generally occur near the family home and involve a dog that has become dominant and protective of their home environment and immediate surroundings.

“Specialist advice previously supported council’s position to provide adequate and additional dog off-leash exercise areas to encourage dog owners to take their dogs away from their home environments and allow socialisation with other dogs and people in mutually neutral areas,” the report said.

Data on companion animals in Ballina Shire. Source: Ballina Shire Council

Source: Ballina Shire Council.

The draft amendments to the policy will be discussed by councillors at Thursday’s council meeting, to be held at council chambers from 9am. Click here to stream the meeting live.