Hobsons Bay Council asked to install signs at Newport Lakes Reserve off-leash area after local’s ‘distressing’ encounter with dog

After a “distressing” encounter with a large dog, Hobsons Bay residents are calling on the council to erect warning signs at the off-leash area in Newport Lakes Reserve.

Residents have demanded increased signage to inform visitors about dog off-leash areas after a Newport woman claimed her children were terrified by a recent encounter.

Off-leash dog areas pose a threat to wildlife, according to some Melburnians, after a “distressing” encounter prompted calls for the council to install warning signs.

Hobsons Bay residents are urging their council to install warning signs for an off-leash dog area at Newport Lakes Reserve after a local recalled a scary incident with a large dog that left her daughters “screaming hysterically”.

A Newport woman, who asked not to be named, said there was a real problem as visitors were unaware they could not take dogs into the Reserve and better signage was needed there too.

“I walk through the Reserve most days and always see people with dogs down there,” she said.
“There are signs at all of the entrances to the reserve next to the dog off-leash park which say ‘Dogs Prohibited’ with a picture of a dog on a lead, but I think people misread this as dogs are allowed if on a lead.”

Frequenters of Newport Lakes Reserve have noticed many people take their dogs into the Reserve despite signs warning it is prohibited.

It comes after media reports that Newport woman Jenny Beszelzen was on a walk with her young daughters, when they unknowingly entered an off-leash area near Bruce St.

Ms Beszelzen said her children were given a “huge fright” when a large dog immediately bounded over to the group, barking and jumping at the two girls which prompted them to “scream hysterically”.

“The owner stood there and laughed, and did nothing as we repeatedly asked her to recall her dog and leash it so we could pass,” Ms Beszelzen told Star Weekly.

Residents want council to install signs on the high fence at Newport Lakes Reserve off-leash area after a “distressing” incident.

“It’s not a great area to have as an off-leash space. There are many other off-leash spaces in Hobsons Bay that aren’t right next to a nature reserve where dogs are prohibited.

“It’s right next to a nature reserve, with no barrier, and that is a threat to any wildlife that wanders out of the reserve.

“At the very least, they need appropriate signage to alert other users of the park.”

Ms Beszelzen now plans to submit an official complaint to the council.

A Hobsons Bay council spokesman said while there were a number of off-leash areas, owners must be vigilant and use “common sense”.

Some locals believe off-leash areas are not appropriate near nature reserves as pets can threaten wildlife.

 

“There are 14 designated off-leash dog areas in Hobsons Bay, including at Newport Lakes,” the spokesman said.

“Dogs in off-leash areas must always be under their owner’s control and restraint to prevent any harm or nuisance to other people or animals.

“This means the dog must be under effective voice or hand control so a leash can be applied immediately if needed.”