Dog ban remains in place in Frankston CBD after council vote
A JAR of dog poo played a key role in seeing off an attempt to lift the 20-year ban on canines in Frankston’s CBD — after a councillor brandished it in chambers to back up his argument.
South East
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A FRANKSTON councillor has brandished a jar of dog poo in chambers in a bid to keep a 20-year ban on dogs in Frankston’s CBD.
Cr Glenn Aitken said he had collected the persuasive prop — or “hard evidence” as he put it — from a nature strip near his Seaford property and feared the situation would be replicated if a push to drop the ban on dogs was successful.
Dog owners want final decision on allowing pooches back in central Frankston
He also voiced concern about dog attacks.
Councillors agreed, howling down a trial, as well as a plan for a dog “roam free” area on Frankston Beach, which had been recommended by officers.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of the ban? Tell us below.
Meanwhile councillors unanimously voted down a 24/7 cat curfew.
Disappointed dog owners say the council has missed a trick.
Suzanne Gardner, who heads a Frankston dog owners’ group, told the Leader the dog ban was a financial drain on the city centre, with dog owners choosing to visit cafes outside the area where their pooches were welcome.
“It’s a boost (economically) to that area. (Frankston) has missed an opportunity with the trial,” she said.
“If it was a bomb they could withdraw it quickly.”
Ms Gardner said it was discriminatory to exclude four-legged friends from the city centre.
“Dogs are surrogate family for a lot of people,” she said.
“They provide companionship.”
But Cr Kris Bolam said suggestions that relaxing the ban would provide a boost for cafe operators were little more than “voodoo economics”.
A council officer’s report found 200 people surveyed were split 50-50 on easing the CBD ban, but overwhelmingly in favour of a “free roam” area on the foreshore.
Deputy mayor Steve Toms said the council had also received legal advice that it would not be liable for dog attacks in the CBD.
In 2015/16, the council recorded 15 dangerous dogs, six menacing dogs and four restricted breed dogs being kept in the municipality.
It’s not the first time an attempt to overthrow the ban has been defeated.
In August 2015, the Frankston Leader reported that the council voted to keep the dog ban in place and restrictions on the beach following heated and emotive debate.
