Northern beaches dog baiting spike prompts call for CCTV in parks

A Sydney councillor has offered a potential solution after a spate of dog baiting incidents on the northern beaches.

A Sydney councillor has blasted dog baiting as a “criminal act” and says CCTV cameras in parks could solve the problem after a spike in pets being poisoned on the northern beaches.

Multiple residents have told The Daily Telegraph that Careel Bay dog park in Avalon has recently been deliberately baited with rat poison resulting in the death of several local dogs, with others in intensive care.

This included a well-known Great Dane called Malu, who ingested poison last week and tragically bled to death, leaving her owners and trainer traumatised.

Jess van der Meer and her dog Wally and Karen Griffin with her dog Cuba at Careel Bay dog park at Avalon. Picture: Richard Dobson

Northern Beaches councillor Michael Gencher said potential dog baiting in his local patch was “massively concerning”.

“It’s a criminal act – this affects dogs, it affects families, it affects wildlife – it affects the community as a whole,” he said.

“It’s just a deplorable act that has the harshest of realities in terms of outcomes. It’s horrible.”

Stacey Demarco’s dog Malu died after being baited at an Avalon park.

Mr Gencher said CCTV cameras in parks could deter “lowlifes” from dropping bait.

He also suggested signage warning people about the danger and an increased presence of council staff to let residents know what is going on as possible solutions.

Malu’s owner, Stacey Demarco, of Avalon, said others had come forward to tell their stories of baiting after her own pet’s death following a walk at Careel Bay dog park.

“There is a pattern in the northern beaches, two last year, there was a big case in Mona Vale, they actually found baits at Bayview,” she said.

“(Malu) fought really hard, but the toxicology indicated rat poison … she basically bled to death.

“Distressing is not the word, we are devastated. For this to happen to my dog, a super quiet dog like this – it could happen to any dog.”

Local detectives have since spoken to Ms Demarco about Malu’s death.

Dog trainer Jess Van Der Meer, whose first client was Malu, said she was worried about offenders baiting as she relies on Careel Bay dog park to do her job.

“It’s a big responsibility taking someone else’s dog out anyway, but then adding in that pressure … it’s just such an unknown at the moment, they’ve got one victim, what’s to say they’re not going to choose a new location?”

Northern Beaches Council chief executive Ray Brownlee said staff have been patrolling the area but are yet to find any evidence of baiting.

“Council staff are proactively monitoring the area to check for any evidence of dog baiting and to deter such illegal activities,” he said.

“Rangers have not observed any evidence of dog baiting in the area in recent patrols.”