Northern Beaches Council: Startling dog attack stats prompt push for canine training incentives

Startling dog attack stats, and other canine complaints, have prompted a call for incentives to encourage people to enrol their pooches in obedience classes.

Dogs playing in Pittwater at the official off-leash location at Rowland Reserve, Bayview. The council will report on the possibility of incentives being introduced to encourage more people to take their pets to obedience training classes. File picture: Troy Snook

More than 100 people were attacked by dogs on the northern beaches last year, prompting calls for the council to introduce financial incentives for owners to enrol their pets in obedience classes.

Locals could be tempted by dog registration fees being discounted, or wived, if they have their dogs properly trained.

The council is also looking at setting up more education campaigns to encourage “responsible” pet ownership.

Greens councillor Kristyn Glanville, introduced a motion at last week’s council meeting, which she said was aimed at identifying more opportunities to “set local residents up for success in raising their dogs”.

Cr Glanville told the meeting that she, and other councillors, were frequently contacted by residents concerned at safety issues involving dogs with “behavioural issues” and dogs off their leashes outside official off-leash reserves.

Canine client, Spook, at the Manly Dog Training Club in 2014. File picture: David Swift

There were also concerns with dogs attacking other dogs and wildlife.

Figures provided by the council showed that in 2023, it received 353 reports of dog attacks, including attacks on other dogs.

There were also 1928 complaints about “roaming” dogs; 658 barking complaints and eight reports of people not picking up their dog’s faeces.

Statistics from the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) showed that 101 people were attacked by dogs in the Northern Beaches Council area in 2023.

There were 89 reports of attacks on people between the period of 1 April 2023 to 30 April 2024.

Of these 31 people sought medical treatment and 16 were hospitalised.

The OLG stated that a dog attack could include “any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal”.

“Unfortunately, buying a dog doesn’t mean that you know how to train one, or properly manage its behaviour,” Cr Glanville told the meeting.

Highly trained dogs enjoying a paddleboard ride at Manly. File picture: Adam Taylor

“That’s not a criticism because I think that owning, and the responsible care of, a dog is a life skill.

“We don’t expect people to be born with life skills. These are things we are taught.”

Cr Glanville said her motion sought more imformation from council staff about what it was currently doing to encourage responsible pet ownership; look at what other councils were doing; examine potential incentives that could be offered to people to take up dog training such as puppy school, obedience classes, or hiring a dog trainer: and how much it would cost.

Liberal deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn said that she supported council examining the issue and where they would get the best “bang for our buck, or bark for our bite”.

The council was told that dog registration fees were set by the NSW Government under the Companions Animals Act.

A happy dog at the official off-leash park at Rowland Reserve, Bayview. File picture: Troy Snook

Staff would also examine the providing more free information sessions; collaborating with l dog trainers/behaviourists on education packs for owners when they register a new dog; and collaborating with local vets to disseminate those packs.

And an amendment introduced by Liberal councillor Sturt Sprott, meant that the report would also look at educational opportunities for “responsible cat ownership” to help cut don the number of native animals killed by “free roaming” cats.

The council already conducts educational activities including “pop up “events, education sessions and the distribution of information pamphlets.

The council staff will provide a report to councillors, within four months.