Out of control dog kills wildlife at Edwardes Lake park

A beloved family of local swans in Melbourne’s north have suffered another vicious dog attack, as community members fight for tougher pet restrictions.

The wildlife death toll at a popular nature reserve in Melbourne’s north continues to rise after an out of control dog killed a beloved black swan.

Residents reported a dog attack on one of the resident swan’s at Edwardes Lake in Reservoir on Friday afternoon, claiming an off-lead dog rushed at the swans while the owner struggled to stop their pet.

Witness accounts claimed the dog owner walked away from the incident after managing to get the dog under control, as the mauled swan lay on the ground.

Local environmentalists have worked to protect the small family of swans who live at the lake, after two previous dog attacks, but the much-loved Mabel the swan could not be saved.

Mabel the swan was attacked and killed by an off-leash dog at a park in Reservoir. (Picture: Friends of Edwardes Lake)

In October 2022, two cygnet swans were killed by a dog at the same lake, sparking community outrage and a petition amassing 5000 signatures supporting more restrictions to protect wildlife.

Friends of Edwardes Lake president Kate Jost said there needed to be a culture change around the idea of responsible pet ownership.

“Unfortunately, there’s a bit of an attitude of ‘dogs will be dogs and that’s what dogs do’.

“We very much need to get to that level of responsible pet ownership, where were not going to say things like dogs will be dogs.”

There have been three separate dog attacks on the swan family at live at Edwardes Lake, with four swans killed. (Picture: Friends of Edwardes Lake)

Ms Jost said she encountered dead birds that had been attacked by dogs at Edwardes Lake every week.

“(When) humans, pets and wildlife are sharing space … wildlife is the vulnerable party in that relationship.”

Friends of Edwardes Lake started a new petition, calling on the City of Darebin to improve signage around dog leash restrictions and enforce rules at the park with patrolling officers, in order to protect wildlife from domestic animals.

The petition has gained more than 1300 signatures in four days.

After the incident last year, the council installed new “temporary” signage, but community members claim the signs were ripped down.

Ms Jost said it was both the responsibility of local government and state government to better regulate domestic animals, with the government needing to mandate better education and enforcement on a local level.

“In Darebin I do not believe that there was a culture of responsible pet ownership and I do not think the standard is being set.

“Biodiversity as a whole is in crisis … we're so lucky to have these creeks and we must start this education and this enforcement process, otherwise, we’re going to lose everything.”

A spokesperson for the City of Darebin said it was committed to collaborating with community members to make improvements.

“We are saddened, as many in our community are, about the news of Mabel’s death, one of the beloved swans at Edwardes Lake Park,’’ the spokesperson said.

“We will work together to address this issue and to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of the wildlife.”