Transport for NSW knocks back campaign against dogs in boxes on Sydney ferries

Transport bosses have doubled down on a controversial canine box rule for ferry passengers - leaving dog owners irate and vowing to continue to fight.

Sydney dog owners have been left disappointed after a petition calling for “dog friendly” rules to be reinstated on Sydney ferries fell flat with transport officials.

A compliance crackdown requiring dogs to be placed in a box, basket or container when travelling on ferries will remain in place after 4903 people put their names to a petition calling for the restrictions to be relaxed earlier this year.

The petition was started after signs emerged at ferry stops advising commuters that from July 1 pets on leashes were not allowed on vessels and instead must be “under control at all times” with transport staff “actively enforcing” the requirements.

Neutral Bay dog owner Stef McLaughlin used to be commute by ferry with her dog on a lead.

Before July, dog owners were able to catch the ferry while on leashes at the discretion of ferry crews.

The petition called for on-leash travel to be reinstated and for dogs wearing collars or leads to be granted travel within an area of the ferry designated by ferry captains.

In response to the petition on Tuesday, Transport for NSW doubled down on the restrictions, saying animals must be placed “in a box, basket or other container, unless they are an assistance animal”.

“This regulation is longstanding and is to ensure the safety of both animals and customers on our services,” the department said.

“It is the responsibility of ferry operators to administer the regulations.”

A sign outlining the crackdown.

Mosman councillor Simon Menzies is vowing to continue the fight.

Mosman councillor Simon Menzies, who helped spearhead the petition, said we was disappointed by the outcome but vowed “to continue the battle”

“Since July they’ve been stopping dog owners from getting onto ferries – people are getting turned away and are very surprised by the rules,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to people who have taken the ferry for years saying they’re not going to use it any more because they refuse to carry a box around with their dog in it.

“At a time when dog ownership is increasing and people are getting out and about more with their dogs it’s a very disappointing outcome.”

While the crackdown was Sydney wide, Ms Menzies said the affinity between Mosman residents and their dogs coupled with the suburb’s high pet registration numbers were possible factors for the strong backlash within the community.

“People in Mosman came out of the woodwork to say ‘no’ – they were saying two things: they thought it was quite reasonable to take their dog on the ferry with a leash and secondly, they thought Sydney should be like other countries that are more pet-friendly,” he said.

The petition was tabled by North Sydney MP Felicity Wilson

“We’ll continue to protest – 10 years ago when dogs were banned from pubs the first time it went to parliament it got knocked back but eventually it got through.

“We won’t give up.”

Among the local dog owners opposed to the move was resident Stef McLaughlin who until July said she always checked with ferry staff before taking her dog on board during her commute to work.

“I’m always conscious not to sit too close to the people around me, but more often than not people come up and ask if they can stroke him,” Ms McLaughlin told The Daily Telegraph earlier this year.

In a statement, ferry operator Transdev said there have been no fines issued relating to pets and animals on ferry services since July 1.

A spokeswoman said Transdev operates its ferry services in line with Transport for NSW regulations

The petition was referred to NSW parliament by North Sydney MP Felicity Wilson and stated the boxed requirements “is both onerous and unnecessary” and “acts as a deterrent to the use of an essential service.”

“It doesn’t meet community expectations of Sydney being a dog friendly city,” it added.

The regulations stipulate animals must be restrained in a suitable carrier at all times while on board, a driver or crew may refuse to allow the animal if the service is reaching capacity, and pets are also banned from enclosed ferry cabin areas, unless outdoor areas on vessels are unavailable.