Mornington Peninsula Shire Council crackdown on unruly dogs at beaches a ‘raw deal’: owners
Dog lovers are angry over a council move to target pooches on nine southern Mornington Peninsula beaches, with one owner saying walkers have had enough of their pets being treated like “wild animals”.
South East
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A move to put the bite on unruly pooches at Peninsula beaches has sparked an angry backlash from dog owners.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has flagged a crackdown at nine southern Peninsula beaches.
But Tootgarook dog lover Danny Twil said owners were getting a raw deal and the council had failed to consult.
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“They don’t want us to walk our dogs on any beach. All the (dog) walkers have had enough,” he said.
“They are not wild animals. They are playing with a ball (on the beach).”
Mr Twil said dogs desperately needed to cool down and it was essential they could go into the sea water on hot summer days.
He said locals were bearing the brunt of tougher enforcement action because of the antics of unruly dogs owned by visitors during summer.
Council officers will target dogs at Balnarring, Capel Sound, Dromana, Merricks, Point King, Point Leo, Shoreham, Somers and Whitecliffs beaches.
Officers will check that dogs are registered, on lead and under control and that owners are cleaning up after their pets.
Mayor David Gill said the council had a commitment to community safety.
“We have developed a comprehensive compliance program to regulate the behaviour of dogs on beaches to improve the amenity of our beaches,” he said.
Cr Gill said the council had co-ordinated its action with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and local foreshore committees of management.
Senior DELWP official Stephen Chapple said it was up to everyone to be respectful and responsible when visiting beaches, so they could be enjoyed safely by all.
“A variety of native plants and animals, including some threatened species, call our beaches home,” he said.
“Regulations and compliance ensure dogs and their owners can enjoy the beach without impacting negatively on the environment or other beachgoers.”