Off-leash beaches on Tweed Coast could be reduced as places are reviewed by council

DOG owners could soon have fewer off-leash areas to take their four-legged friends to as Tweed Coast council reviews their dog friendly spots. TAKE OUR POLL

TALK about a ruff deal. The number of off-leash areas for dogs on the Tweed Coast could shrink as the council reviews the scheme.

A preliminary Tweed Shire Council report details proposed changes to off- and on-leash zones at Kingscliff, Casuarina, Fingal Head, Cabarita and Pottsville.

A total dog ban is being proposed for the beach from Fingal Headland to Kingscliff North, and there could be a reduction in the off-leash zones from Cabarita to Hastings Point.

The review follows a petition by a group of passionate dog owners who called for leash-free hours at Casuarina and Salt beach from 6am-8am and 4pm-6pm every day.

These beaches are currently on-leash only. Picture: Jerad Williams

The “Paws for a Cause” group collected hundreds of signatures in support for the scheme and in a presentation to the council, called for a 12-month trial.

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But pet owners like Linda Ryder argue the issue isn’t signage or zoning, but enforcement.

The Cudgen resident, her daughter and her dog Bolt are still recovering from a vicious attack in an off-leash area earlier this year.

Linda Ryder's dog, Bolt, was viciously attacked on the beach at Casuarina. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The problem is everybody’s dog is social around them, but when you put it in a situation around kids you need to be sure what your dog is going to do,” Ms Ryder said.

Ms Ryder said she and her daughter were walking along the beach in an off-leash zone when their small jack russell cross, Bolt, was attacked by a larger dog.

Bolt’s throat was ripped open. Veterinary bills totalled $1600.

Kingscliff. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Duranbah to Fingal Headland. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

DOG ATTACKS WOMAN’S DOG FOR A SECOND TIME

The trauma came back for the family this week when Ms Ryder’s dog was again charged by an off-leash animal, this time in a leash-only zone. In this instance Bolt was not harmed.

“My daughter who was there at the first attack was traumatised,” Ms Ryder said as she described the latest incident.

Linda Ryder's dog, Bolt, was viciously attacked on the beach at Casuarina. She is warning everyone to keep their dogs on leash while on the beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

“She had a full blown panic attack and we had to leave the beach.

“The dogs may be harmless but there are people with stories out there. We purposely go to on-leash areas for a reason but this still happens.

“Nothing is going to work if you don’t follow the rules.

“For us it was pure terror.”

Ms Ryder said she was not against off-leash zones but wanted more patrols by council officers.

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Fingal Headland to Kingscliff North. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Casuarina to Cabarita. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“My thoughts are there are three designated off-leash areas locally, which are only a short drive so people should follow the rules and be in control of their animals,’’ she said.

“It is not OK to continue to think that your dog is exempt from the law. If you want to throw a ball or let it run, take it to a designated off-leash area.”

Kingscliff South to Casuarina. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Last month a Kingscliff woman’s leg was broken when three dogs knocked her over.

Councillor James Owen said changes to the dog beach areas would be determined in the coming week.

“We will have 15000 people living outside of Kingscliff, which puts a lot of pressure on the area,’’ he said.

“So we need to be strategic and consider dog owners who love their dogs and also the many people that don’t.”

Cr Owen said the behaviour of some dog owners and the safety of wildlife on the beaches were causing concern.