Clover Moore to call for Transport for NSW to allow dogs on trains: Experts, dog attack victims hit out

Dog attack victims and animal behaviourists have criticised a campaign by City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore to see pets allowed on all public transport. Have your say here.

A campaign to see pets ride the rails on Sydney Trains has been torn to shreds with an animal behavioural specialist forecasting vicious attacks and carriages being transformed into litter boxes.

City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore will call for Transport for NSW to allow pets on all public transport, in a move to mirror cities including Berlin, London, Paris and San Francisco.

However, animal expert Mark Hickey said while he wants to see the plan in action, he forecasts trains being inundated with urine, and said owners would be forced to muzzle animals to prevent attacks.

Ms Moore is calling for pets to be allowed on all modes of public transport. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“It is definitely possible for two dogs to get in a fight on public transport, strict rules should apply where dogs should be separated and at least two metres apart,” he said.

“If the dog is muzzled it is unlikely for the dog to attack, the only problem with muzzling is people’s fear and the stigma around large dogs wearing muzzles.

Pets are currently banned from Sydney and regional train services, yet may be taken on light rail, buses and ferries, if allowed by the driver.

The move from Ms Moore comes following a series of frenzied dog attacks, including one where a man is fighting for his life after two rottweilers attacked him as he walked past a property in Sydney’s southwest.

“People and their pets are seriously disadvantaged because they cannot travel on public transport,” Ms Moore said. “Inner-city pet owners are particularly disadvantaged because they are less likely to own a car.

“Social housing tenants tell me they cannot get their pet to a vet because they do not have access to a car.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore pictured. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Victims and witnesses of dog attacks have raised concerns over the plan, with 1,203 dog attacks reported in NSW from April to June, according to the latest council data.

Of the attacks, 740 people including children were victims of a dog attack.

A total of 39 attacks were reported in the Sydney local government area during the same period.

Teresa Ann Festa said dogs should only be allowed in certain circumstances given a disability and must be muzzled.

A series of dog attacks have been reported across City of Sydney in the last three months. Picture: Supplied

“It’s just too risky in such close quarters,” she said. “Dangerous breeds should never be allowed.

“Dog bites ... can kill a person.”

There are 32,820 dogs and 26,815 cats living in the council area, according to pet registration data.

Ms Moore will call for Transport for NSW to urgently remove current restrictions under the Passenger Transport Regulation, “so that certainty is provided to passengers that their pets will

be allowed to travel with them on all forms of public transport in NSW”.