Beach dog walkers flouting state’s leash laws — Deakin study

Most dog walkers on Victorian beaches are flouting this law, with many not understanding why it’s a big problem, a new study has found.

Most dog walkers are flouting Victoria’s on-leash laws on beaches, endangering wildlife such as nesting birds, a Deakin University study has found. R

Most dog walkers are flouting Victoria’s on-leash laws on beaches, endangering wildlife such as nesting birds, a Deakin University study has found.

The report surveyed 69 beaches from Mallacoota to Portland over three years and found that noncompliance was the norm.

Associate Professor Mike Weston, from the Centre for Integrative Ecology, said many pet owners simply did not understand why an off-leash dog was a problem.

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Dog walkers at Edithvale beach. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“Maybe they’re just not aware of the damage that dogs can cause to the environment, or because people have a close personal relationship with their dogs they want their dogs to have free exercise and they see that as harmless,” he said.

The study, conducted with BirdLife Australia, analysed compliance with four regulations: no-dog zones, seasonal leash access, time-restricted leash access, and dogs on leash at all times.

Dog owners who walked their dogs in on-leash-at-all-times zones were the worst offenders with a 79 per cent noncompliance record.

Dog owners who walked their dogs in on-leash-at-all-times zones were the worst offenders with a 79 per cent noncompliance record. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Non-compliance is endemic along the Victorian coastline,’’ he said.

Problems often occurred at quieter beaches, he said.

“We have seen that people are prepared to be lax when there’s no one around. When there are non-dog walkers around, that can act as a social pressure.’’

Seals and sea lions which rest on beaches were also susceptible to barking dogs.

“People think there’s no problem because the seal got away. But the seal is there for a reason. It could be in poor condition. It might be having difficulties. And people judge that situation has been resolved adequately without harm — it’s not lethal but it’s still causing harm.’’

A hooded plover stops along Cape Woolamai Beach on #PhillipIsland. This rare little shorebird is found only in southern Australia and Tasmania and builds its nests on sandy beaches.https://t.co/oiHKR82bDp pic.twitter.com/uteZKtrC2l

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Newhaven Dog Walkers Group spokeswoman Jill Watt said her group encouraged responsible dog control but some owners believed their dog was too friendly to do any harm.

“But it just takes one little thing and they’ll turn — it doesn’t matter what breed of dog it is,’’ Ms Watt said.

The problem was quite widespread, she said, but encouraged people to check and obey the rules.

“A lot of people in this area do know they should be on leads but I have seen them off leads.’’

Twins Gypsy and Lulu, age 7, have their labradoodle Kramer under control on Chelsea Beach. Pic: Michael Klein

Assoc Prof Weston wanted to appeal to dog owners as animal lovers to do the right thing.

“If you comply with the rules you are helping another animals beside your own dog.

“Your dog has instincts and it will follow those instincts.’’

He acknowledged inadequate signs were an issue that could be improved.

Among the threatened beach-based birds were the hooded plover, classified as “vulnerable”, and which live in the dunes.

“They nest on the beach, their flightless young grow up on the beach, they live their lives on the beach.’’

“People often say it’s other dogs that kill wildlife, not theirs, or they think their dog is just having fun chasing birds. But even chasing has a very real effect on birds.

“They’re trying to keep eggs warm and raise chicks.’’

The problem became so bad that Mornington Peninsula National Park was recently shut down to dogs completely because on people not keep their dogs on the lead.

Port Phillip Bay was not included in the survey.

The study is to be published in an upcoming book Impacts of Invasive Species on Coastal Environments.

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@IanRoyall