Shire patrolling for dog breaches

Dogs must be on a lead at all times in summer – in all public places in Phillip Island and San Remo – unless in the five designated off-leash areas, Bass Coast Shire has warned.

The shire added it was carrying out regular patrols to make sure all dogs were 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.

Summer regulations relating to dogs on beaches are now in effect, with dog owners required to follow the regulations at: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dogwalking

Dogs must be kept on a leash when walking along tracks through the foreshore.

Off-leash areas on the island include:

• Ventnor Beach area between Graydens Road and Ventnor Beach Road – dogs are allowed off-leash at all times.
• Cape Woolamai Beach (Cleeland Bight) between Palm Beach Avenue access track 350m south to Southport Avenue access track – seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash December 1 – January 31 and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times.
• Cowes West beach between Yacht Club access track to approximately 50 metres short of the Cowes Anderson Boat Ramp – Designated off leash area seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash December 1 – January 31 and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times.
• Blue Gum Reserve, Dunsmore Road, Cowes.
• And at San Remo:
• Foots Beach from the Back Beach Road access track through Lions Park to Marine Parade beach access track. Designated off leash area seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash December 1 – January 31 and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times.
• When using the off-leash areas with your dog:
• You must carry a leash and use it immediately if the situation calls for it;
• Your dog must be under effective voice control at all times;
• Your dog mustn’t rush, jump on any person or attack any person or animal; and
• You must keep your dog in sight at all times.

Additionally, dog owners using off-leash areas on Phillip Island and San Remo must also bring their dog under effective control when within 50 metres of a signed threatened species wildlife refuge area.

This helps to protect Hooded Plover nesting sites, which may be located within a designated off-leash area. Failure to follow these rules could result in enforcement action.

Council officers will be patrolling beaches, off-leash areas and parks throughout summer and where appropriate, officers will issue infringement notices to dog owners who are found doing the wrong thing. 

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.

Last week council did not respond by deadline to the question of how the public can report bylaws breaches after hours.

This week a spokeswoman told the Advertiser there was no avenue to report bylaws breaches after hours unless it was “urgent and serious”, which includes contained stray dogs, aggressive dogs wandering, dog attacks and livestock on road.

“If the member of the public is able to identify the offender, they are encouraged to report this to council the next business day for investigation,” she said.

“Although council do conduct scheduled patrols on weekends.”

For more information, please contact Council’s Community Safety Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211 or visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dogwalking.