Redwood care group call on council to ban pets from the park

Friends of the Escarpment Parks Redwood Park Care group are calling on council to ban animals from parks after discovering the fresh carcass of a wallaby believed to be killed by an off leash dog.

OFF THE LEASH: Coordinator for the Friends of the Escarpment Parks Redwood Park Care group, Hugh Krenske is urging dog owners not to let their dogs off leash when walking in Toowoomba escarpments and bushland parks after he came across the very fresh carcass of a young swamp wallaby last week. Pictures: Contributed

Members of a Toowoomba park care group are warning dog owners to take responsibility for their pets while roaming around Toowoomba’s nature reserves after discovering a carcass of a wallaby last week.

Co-ordinator for the Friends of the Escarpment Parks Redwood Park Care group,

Hugh Krenske said he came across the dead animal on Thursday, April 29.

“During our work in Redwood we came across the very fresh carcass of a young swamp wallaby quite close to the walking track,” he said.

Co-ordinator for the Friends of the Escarpment Parks Redwood Park Care group, Hugh Krenske is urging dog owners not to let their dogs off leash when walking in Toowoomba escarpments and bushland parks after he came across the very fresh carcass of a young swamp wallaby last week. Photo: Courtesy of Hugh Krenske

“We regularly place wildlife cameras in Redwood, but keep them away from the fire trails and walking tracks. During the 10 years that we have been putting cameras in Redwood, the only feral animal we have picked up has been a fox.

“Unfortunately, we have come across several animals including carpet pythons, monitor lizards and bandicoots that have been killed, we suspect, by off leash dogs.

Mr Krenske said some of these dogs can be quite aggressive and is concerned more native wildlife will suffer as a result of owners negligence.

“We often encounter people walking their dogs in Redwood, mostly on leash. But some only put them on a leash when they see us,” he said.

“Prior to the council amalgamations, no pets were allowed in bushland parks. After the amalgamations dogs were allowed in bushland parks provided they are on a leash.

“We have written to the council about the issue, and they are looking into it, but to date nothing has happened.”

Mr Krenske and other members of the Friends of the Escarpment Parks Redwood Park Care group said they would like to see council have a stronger policy about allowing dogs into bushland parks, especially those parks that have significantly threatened species and ecosystems such as Redwood.

Hugh Krenske in Redwood Park. Photo: Bev Lacey

“We have a wonderful escarpment. Ecologically, Redwood is the jewel in the crown. With its endangered dry rainforest it is in walking distance of residents in East Toowoomba, and it contains the heritage listed Eaglenest Camp, the Zoo Fence built in the late 1940s and iconic short and long walks throughout the park. It is a bird watchers paradise.

Mr Krenske said it was the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their dogs behaved while walking in Redwood, but he said unfortunately some owners had ruined this opportunity for others and is wanting to see council take the appropriate measures to protect the native wildlife.

“With regard to the dogs off leash issue, I would like the council to reintroduce the Toowoomba City Council policy of no pets in Bushland Parks.

“It’s the only way we can ensure more native wildlife like this poor wallaby are protected and Redwood Park can continue to be the wonderful ecological escape that it’s come to be for many avid park carers and local walkers.”