Byron Shire Council implements changes to non-compliant dog policy

Byron Shire residents say abuse and frustration is rife among those sick of problem dogs. Now, the council hopes to clamp down on those wilfully letting their pets cause chaos.

Problems with dog attacks, nuisance and barking dogs have increased in the Byron Shire causing considerable “angst” for frightened residents.

There were 649 problem dogs reported to Byron Shire Council in 2021.

101 of these were dog attacks, 292 nuisance dogs and 128 were barking complaints.

However, only 57 penalty infringement notices were issued.

Increasing enforcement is one of the main aims of a new motion passed through Byron Shire Council on Thursday.

Jeanette Olley from Byron Bird Buddies told Byron Shire Council many “frustrated” residents thought there was no point in making a complaint as nothing would get done.

She said encounters with nuisance dog owners could also get aggressive.

“It happened to me last Thursday, I was in Suffolk Park with friends for two hours when we saw 10 dogs off-lead and on the bike track despite all the on-lead signs,” she said.

“We spoke to several people, but one person in particular … it was very abusive.

“The language that came back to us was rather disgusting, frightening.”

She said the noncompliance also threatened a region in a “biodiversity crisis”.

“This problem is not going to go away unless this council is committed to serious change,” Ms Olley said.

Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey asked for council to support the motion to create some desperately need action on dog attacks. Picture: Liana Boss

Proposed changes floated by council included council staff improving targeted patrols and a minimal tolerance enforcement, enhancing community messaging through local media and tourism operators, prepare a six-month report reviewing progress and continue a partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Councillor Cate Coorey said the motion was lodged as the pandemic had dramatically increased the population of dogs in the Byron Shire and she wanted to apply “more heat” to wilfully reckless owners.

“(It has brought) a great deal of angst around the proliferation in places where they’re not meant to be,” she said.

“We’ve always had a problem with non-compliant owners but anecdotally … there’s a lot of dogs in places where they should never be.”

“I think some of our messaging around dogs is such that, we’ve got on our website ‘Byron the dog friendly shire’. Well, we like dogs, I’m a dog owner myself, but friendliness has to extend to our biodiversity, our own indigenous animals, and they are actually suffering as a result of the presence of dogs.”

Cr Coorey demonstrated some alternative signage that could be placed around the Shire, which explained why the area was protected.

Old dog signage on the left at Broken Head vs. the proposed new signage which explains why dogs aren't allowed.

Council staff noted officers had limitations in accessing identification to provide a $17 fine.

More location for off-beach 0ff-leash areas were also highlighted as being a council priority to help ease “overcrowding”.

Councillor Sarah Ndiaye said she feared the motion would unfairly target a homeless and transient population.

“I guess we all hear from different people and I don’t get endless letters of concern from residents,” she said.

“I operate in Mullumbimby and I very rarely see any incident other than a couple of dogs off-lead and they generally belong to the same bunch of people.

“My preference would be that this motion focused much more on those environmentally sensitive habitat areas.”

“The trouble with this for me is that we want to change the approach but we’re wanting to change it in some many areas, and it’s in that sense, doomed to fail.”

Councillors spoke of “horrific attacks” by problem dogs seen to be increasing over the past few years.

Cr Ndiaye said stricter enforcement might interfere with the relationship community engagement officers had with Byron residents.

“(Officers work hard) so that they so that people understand they’re there to help serve the community not there to penalise,” she said.

“I worry this tips on the other side of that, that we move back into this heavy enforcement.

“A dangerous dog or a dog creating challenges in habitat areas (being) stopped is one thing compared to somebody walking around with their little foxy following them.”

Councillor Sama Balson overall supported the implementation of fines and stricter enforcement but wanted more input from the community.

Councillor Alan Hunter supported the motion, noting council had to “up the ante” on dog enforcement.

“We got to be serious about this, take no prisoners or take them all as prisoners,” Cr Hunter said jokingly.

“The spirit behind this is right.”

Councillor Peter Westheimer also supported the notice of motion.

“I’ve had reservations about our relaxed view with management of dogs for years,” he said.

“There have been some horrific attacks on people … which is just completely unacceptable.

“We all love to please our constituents at some extent, we don’t like being too heavy handed, but we’re essentially drawing a line in the sand here and I think it’s really important that we do and the message will slowly get out.”

“People have a right to own a dog but that comes with responsibilities,” said Mayor Michael Lyon in support of the motion.