South Hobart Football Club seeks ban, alleging dog owners fail to clean up

A sporting club is calling for dogs to be banned at sports grounds because it is sick of picking up dog poo left on ovals.

South Hobart Football Club is calling for dogs to be banned at all sports grounds. Picture: Bigandt Photography

South Hobart Football Club is calling for dogs to be banned at all sports grounds in the suburb because it is sick of picking up dog poo left on ovals.

South Hobart Football Club president Victoria Morton says female dogs are also urinating at South Hobart Oval and Wellesley Park destroying grass on both ovals.

But Hobart Dog Walking Association president Tanzi Lewis says the club is confusing dogs with the area’s bush inhabitants.

“The soccer club is mistaking wallaby poo for dog poo,” Ms Lewis said.

“I’d like to commend the Hobart City Council for continuing to allow dogs to be exercised on most Hobart sports grounds when sports competitions aren’t held.”

The contentious issue has reared its head as Hobart’s dog management policy has gone out for public consultation.

Tanzi Lewis with her two-year-old fox terrier, Abbey.

The oval and Wellesley Park are both dog off-lead areas when sport is not being played.

Sports grounds at North Hobart, New Town, Queenborough Oval and those owned by Tasmanian Cricket Association have dog bans in place.

Hobart alderman and parks and recreation chairman Jeff Briscoe said the council was aware some people wanted to ban dogs from the South Hobart grounds.

“We looked at the pros and cons and suggested we would have more monitoring of the situation,” he said.

“We believe that dogs should be allowed on those public reserves and we are encouraging people to do the right thing.”

Ms Morton said about seven years ago the club received a $1.2 million federal grant to upgrade the surface of Wellesley Park, install lights and build a new clubhouse.

The new facilities at Wellesley Park ,South Hobart. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We feel it’s a contradiction to be spending the money making the surface perfect for football but then having it destroyed,” she said.

“Most owners are responsible and pick up the dog faeces but a large number don’t.

“On a Saturday morning we arrive for match day and our volunteers have to pick up poo.

“We find it revolting.”

Ms Lewis argued that South Hobart was a hilly area and dog owners required a flat surface.

“Hobart City Council does allow dogs on sports fields because public land is in short supply,” she said.

“I think its vital these shared rules remain.”

A copy of the draft dog management strategy, which includes the proposed declared areas is available for download from hobartcity.com.au/petsandanimals.

Public submissions close on January 25.