Former Mornington Peninsula trainer Jan Randles says owners responsible for dog attacks
Former Mornington Peninsula dog trainer Jan Randles says the overwhelming majority of attacks are the fault of humans.
South East
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Irresponsible pet owners are the cause of many of the 298 dog attacks on the peninsula last year, a former trainer says.
Too many dog owners are shockers who aren’t responsible for their pets, according to former dog trainer Jan Randles.
Ms Randles said the overwhelming majority of attacks were the fault of humans.
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“The problem is with the owner, not the dogs — they have not got a clue,” the Safety Beach woman said.
“They need to take more responsibility — there are some shocking owners out there who are not dog savvy.”
Ms Randles, an ex-Paralympian who uses a wheelchair, said she had witnessed multiple dog attacks that were the fault of owners.
“Properly trained dogs are brilliant, (but) a lot of them have really awful owners,” she said.
Data provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council showed there were 419 dog attacks in the municipality in 2014, before the figure fell to 362 in both 2015 and 2016, went back up to 411 in 2017 before dropping to 298 last year.
Council environment protection manager John Rankine attributed last year’s drop to an intensive campaign around parks, beaches and off-leash areas.
“This has resulted in a drop in the number of reported incidents and positive feedback from the many responsible dog owners doing the right thing,” he said.
Mr Rankine said “every type from mastiff to dachshunds” had been reported as the aggressor dog.
Frankston Council data showed dog attacks in the municipality peaked at 284 in 2011 before falling to 180 in 2012 and yo-yoing at 224, 234, 202, 181, 211 and 177 (2018) in subsequent years.
Frankston mayor Michael O’Reilly said the decline from the 2011 high had been due to a strong compliance program.
“Officers undertake regular patrols of parks, the foreshore areas and leash-free areas in an effort to engage with our pet owners,” he said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last month announced a crackdown on unruly dogs
at nine southern Peninsula beaches.
The move sparked a backlash from some locals, who said they were being punished forthe antics of dogs owned by summer visitors.