‘Irresponsible’ locals fined for using Tootgarook sports ground

Sports clubs already battling ongoing vandalism are now pleading with defiant dog walkers to stay off their turf.

A small group of “irresponsible” dog owners have been busted for refusing to play by the rules at a Mornington Peninsula sportsground.

The defiant locals are allowing their dogs to roam free on a Tootgarook oval in defiance of signs warning them dogs must be leashed.

The Leader has been told that some dog owners are turning part of the Truemans Road grounds into their own “private dog park” by releasing their animals onto a fenced oval and closing the gates.

In some cases the dogs have tried to dig under the gates to return to their owners.

Mornington Peninsula Shire has fined four people $165 for “contravening a council order” which includes failing to pick after a dog and failing to keep a dog leashed in public while outside a designated off-leash area.

One dog owner was fined for not registering their pet.

Truemans Road ovals are used by Rosebud Heart Soccer Club and Tootgarook Cricket Club.

Rosebud Heart president Anthony Matthews said the club had been battling to keep dogs and their droppings off the grounds all winter.

“We’ve had signs put up but some people just ignore them,” Mr Matthews said.

“Our members have tried to reason with people and explain that there is a leash-free area nearby and they’ve copped abuse from the dog owners.”

Tootgarook senior cricket coach Jason Lane said both clubs were tired of picking up dog droppings before playing or training.

“It’s not like there isn’t hectares of land of leash free area at the reserve for doggos to roam free, and enjoy the park,” he posted on social media.

“As always, it’s a few irresponsible dog owners that spoil things for everyone, hence the shire patrolling the area and issuing fines.”

Mr Matthews said the clubs were also dealing with ongoing vandalism including a spiteful incident in May that involved superglue being poured into the padlocks securing the soccer club’s storage containers.

“It was during a brief respite from lockdowns when the kids were able to play,” Mr Mathews said.

“We turned up to prepare for the games and found the locks glued shut. They had to be drilled out.”

In 2020 vandals smashed through locked gates to hoon around the oval.

Neither Mr Mathews or Mr Lane suggested dog walkers were responsible for any of the vandalism.

Mornington Peninsula Shire community safety and compliance manager Shannon Maynard said the council was aware of the clubs’ concerns and regularly patrolled all council-managed land to enforce pet controls and encourage responsible ownership.

“We encourage residents to report all incidents of vandalism to the police for investigation.”