Moonee Valley Council refuses to put up snake warning signs in Fairbairn Park
A worried pet owner whose beloved pooch nearly died from a snake bite at an Ascot Vale park has lobbied Moonee Valley Council to put up snake warning signs. But the council has refused, and the decision has enraged locals.
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A council decision not to put signs up in Fairbairn Park warning users of snakes despite a dog being bitten there last month has drawn the ire of pet owners and a snake catcher.
The Leader understands a dog was bitten at the Ascot Vale Park near the river by a tiger snake on October 3 and barely survived.
Moonee Valley Council confirmed it had received a report that a dog had become unwell at the park and been taken to the vet with suspected poisoning.
Councillor Narelle Sharpe said that although there was no snake sighting, the blood test results showed muscle breakdown consistent with a tiger snake bite.
The owner of the dog then made a request to the council to erect signs at the park to warn others, she said.
However, Cr Sharpe said the council was reluctant to install signage because they didn’t want to give the perception that other areas were safer, as snakes were found across the municipality.
The decision has been slammed on social media, with community members furious with the lack of signs and warnings in the park.
Snake catcher Mark Pelley said he thought it was a good idea to put warning signs up in areas rife with snakes.
“Snakes are very misunderstood creatures and people have a tendency to panic around them when they do see them,” he said.
“People don’t know how frequently they exist and how prominent they really are.”
“By creating a warning people would eventually take precautions to be much more aware.”
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Mr Pelley said dog owners should always keep their dogs on a lead, be aware that snakes were in the area and keep them away from snakes wherever possible.
The snake catcher runs his own K9 Snake Avoidance Program, which teaches dogs to avoid snakes.
“One thing I recommend is that prevention is better than a cure, so take them to classes and teach them to stay away from snakes,” he said.