BASS Coast Shire Councillors were talking tough when they ushered in a new era in domestic animal control at their council meeting last Wednesday, October 15.
And their enforcement-heavy approach wasn’t lost on a group of Phillip Island Bass Coast Dog Owners Association members who turned out at the council’s monthly meeting, in the Berninneit Cultural Centre in Cowes.
President of the strong dog owners’ group, Cheryl Owens, said some of the comments by the councillors, especially the threatening remarks made by Cr Matt Morgan, had upset some of her members, especially after the collaborative and respectful way they had engaged with the new Domestic Animal Management Plan process.
“They couldn’t believe the way they spoke about us, as if the dog owners were nothing but trouble,” said Ms Owens.
“I thanked them (the members) for coming but quite a few of them went away upset about what had been said.
“The accusations of irresponsible pet ownership, claims about harassment of wildlife and especially the remarks by Cr Morgan, that he’s going to do what, come back with a Notice of Motion and take away our ability to walk our dogs on the beach if something goes wrong?
“These incidents are very isolated. And there are some people who will never do the right thing,” said Ms Owens.
“If that’s their only plan, to fine people out of doing the wrong thing, how’s that going to work?
“In other shires, it’s more about better signage and education than more enforcement.”
Dog owners’ group issued the following statement:
“The dog association worked collaboratively with the Bass Coast Shire on this new DAMP. We will continue to support off-lead beach areas and will continue to lobby for designated inland off-lead dog parks,” said Ms Owens on behalf of the group.
“We will continue to educate all dog owners around protecting and living with our native wildlife in our community. Our association will continue to promote responsible dog ownership.
“We supported the DAMP in good faith as we were involved in the process.
“What we didn’t expect was for the councillors to then focus on one narrow component (enforcement) rather than the DAMP in its entirety.
“We are looking forward to advancing the care and protection of the San Remo wombats.
“We certainly hope the councillors can look at it with a broader view going forward.”
There was also a briefing for the group’s 3000 Facebook page members prompting dozens of responses, none of it complimentary to the council.
“I listened after and couldn’t believe what they were saying, not much of what they said made sense. It definitely was like we had been totally ignored. They seem gun-ho on shutting us down. I was totally shocked how they spoke,” said one.
“The people that are letting their dogs go near and in the wombat burrows need to be caught and fined. If the council are so worried about this then they need to install better cameras to cover more of the area. Just my thoughts Cheryl. You really do a great job. The whole association is proud of you,” said another.
What Cr Morgan had to say
“We need domestic animals and their owners to take responsibility for the actions of their animals that we’ve brought into the natural environment of our native wildlife. I’m looking forward to seeing the inland off-leash areas being formalised with fencing in Inverloch.
“And like my colleagues, I’m glad to share that we’re acquiring a couple of new compliance officers. Hopefully, this approach allows officers to educate those doing the wrong thing, and granted, it is the extreme minority, without ruining it for the responsible pet owners.
“That being said, I remain extremely concerned about the vulnerability of our native wildlife, especially on particular parts of our beautiful beaches.
“I’ve seen the photos and videos of the dogs chasing wildlife and digging in burrows. That must stop. I won’t hesitate to bring an urgent motion into this chamber in future if I see that behaviour continuing post the adoption of this plan.”
Cr Jon Temby said the “wet lettuce leaf” approach to enforcement wasn’t working.
“Full implementation of the plan and strong policing should resolve the seemingly intractable issues around irresponsible pet owners allowing their animals to adversely interact with wildlife, and the primary legal and moral responsibility we have to allow our wildlife to exist undisturbed.
“Strong policing and the immediate and heavier fines for infringement should help to get the message through that pet or feral animals’ interference with our wildlife is illegal, seriously irresponsible and grossly selfish on the part of the owner.
“The wet-lettuce-leaf approach of a verbal warning has no impact on these people. They need strong deterrence via fines. The prompt use of serious fines should eventually get through to these people,” he said.
In December last year, the Bass Coast Shire Council posted the following message about fines for dog owners doing the wrong thing:
“All dogs must be on a leash when out in public and not in a designated off-leash area. Failure to do so can result in an infringement of $185. You must also pick up after your dog when out in public and carry bags with which to do so. Failure to pick up after your dog or carry bags carries an infringement of up to $370.”
It is anticipated that these fines have since increased, but importantly, fines can be issued without warning.