Tassie dog owners warned of canine coronavirus outbreak

A Tasmanian council has identified a suburban dog park as a potential hot spot as well as other dog exercise areas across Hobart. See the symptoms + warning to Tassie dog owners >>

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A BELLERIVE dog park could be a hot spot for canine coronavirus, according to Clarence City Council, which has reported cases of the illness in recent days across Greater Hobart.

In a statement, the council has identified South Street Dog Park in Bellerive as a potential hot spot as well as other dog exercise areas across Hobart.

Council said canine coronavirus had been present for a long time before the current flare-up and was not related to the COVID-19 illness affecting humans.

Signage is being installed at the dog park advising the virus may be present and asking park users to clean up after their dog, and to not use the facility if their dog has been unwell in the past six weeks.

It comes a fortnight after the Mercury reported fresh cases of canine coronavirus had impacted the Tasmanian greyhound industry.

Council said the virus presents in dogs as severe diarrhoea and dogs may appear or unwell or off their food.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said dog owners should not take their animal out in public if it was unwell and should consult a vet.

He said dog owners should be vigilant about cleaning up after their pet.

“Please do not enter our dog park, or public dog exercise areas, if your dog appears unwell,’’ he said.

“All dog faeces needs to be collected, bagged and disposed of immediately to prevent the

spread.”

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