Moonee Valley pups to remain on lead at all times after off the leash bans

Dog walkers in Moonee Valley may be out of luck, with the council introducing new mandatory rules around keeping your dog on its lead at all times – even at the dog park.

Walking your pup without a lead has been temporarily banned in Moonee Valley. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Moonee Valley is tightening the leash around pups looking to take a wander outside of home.

Since April 6, the council has introduced a new rule mandating all dogs be kept on leash outside of home – even in regular off-leash areas such as dog parks.

The decision was made in a bid to enforce strict social distancing measures – including staying 1.5m apart and not travelling with more than two people in a group.

Off-leash fun at the park has been put on a temporary hold. Picture: John Appleyard

Moonee Valley Mayor Samantha Bryne said some dogs did not return to their owners on command, which could cause people to break the important distancing restrictions.

“(It) has the potential to result in dog owners breaching social distancing requirements to retrieve their pet,” she said.

“When dogs are off-leash at dog parks their owners can also have the tendency to congregate and socialise, which is another type of activity discouraged under the social distancing restrictions.”

Owners will also have to give walking down the streets leadless a miss. AAP IMAGE/ Tim Pascoe

The mayor said people were still more than welcome to walk their pups down Moonee Valley streets, so long as they adhered to the rules.

“They just need to be on a lead,” Cr Byrne said.

“While we understand keeping dogs on a lead will be an inconvenience for some owners, we’re making every effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ask for your co-operation.”

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Keeping your dogs on lead will help keep everyone safe.

The new rule was met with some harsh feedback online, with dog owners complaining the rule was unfair to pooches that could be effectively recalled, and dogs could be walked off-leash while still adhering to social distancing practises.

Others said the rule could result in a loss of income for dog walkers who rely on taking large groups of dogs to off-leash areas as part of their jobs.

However, some dog lovers said they understood why the rule was put in place and support the decision.

Signage about the new ban has been installed at all off-leash parks across the municipality.

@EmilieBaxter_