Park poo-pooed

By Glen Atwell
PLANS for dog playgrounds have been muzzled – again – after they were rejected by Casey council.
Dog friendly exercise enclosures will remain off limits to residents after a notice of motion to investigate off-leash areas at parks and reserves was canned.
It was planned that the off-leash areas would be securely fenced, feature walking and running paths and come complete with doggy drinking fountains and dog bags and bins.
Councillor Steve Beardon introduced the motion and described Rob Wilson and Kevin Bradford’s lack of support for the concept as ‘illogical’.
But Cr Bradford said he was concerned the dog-friendly parks would be bad news for the council’s lawyers and that metal fences would destroy the beauty of local parks.
In 2003, Casey council approved a project to build a ‘dog playground’ at the Casey Fields facility in Cranbourne but the plan was scrapped when the criterium cycling track at the venue was expanded.
Cr Beardon has since identified a number of alternative venues, including Lawson Poole Reserve in Cranbourne North, as suitable locations for the fenced off-leash zones.
But Cr Beardon could not gain enough councillor support to reignite the idea, meaning Casey’s 27,000 registered dogs will remain on their leashes, at least for the time being.
“Dog owners in Casey would appreciate having a facility where they are allowed to release their dogs and encourage their pets to socialise with other animals in a safe environment,” he said.
“I cannot understand why my motion to prepare a report on the idea was not supported, given that a similar plan was signed, sealed and ready to be delivered in 2003.”
“I couldn’t see any logic in Cr Wilson and Cr Bradford’s counter-arguments against the concept,” Cr Beardon said.
Cr Bradford said the facilities would require daily cleaning and expose the City of Casey to unnecessary litigation risks.
“What happens if a child is bitten inside the enclosures, or if someone’s dog is attacked? Will the City of Casey be held responsible?
“I dare to say there would be genuine grounds for compensation claims against the City of Casey,” Cr Bradford said.
“It doesn’t make sense to expose our council to any more potential legal battles than it already has.”
“In addition, I don’t think residents would appreciate a number of our beautiful parks and reserves being blighted by big fenced-off enclosures,” he said.
“Cr Beardon should spend his time focussing on better ideas.”
RSPCA Pearcedale manager Carrie Mudge said off-leash areas would reduce dog aggression and potentially reduce the number of dog-related injuries.
“If dogs are socialised in an off-lead environment from a young age it reduces their fear aggression, which is the most common reason for attacks.”
“It will allow dogs to be exposed to other animals, and different people and environments.”
Ms Mudge also said that any playground-type environment for dogs would dramatically decrease one of local council’s most common complaints.
“If you reduce boredom, you reduce barking,” she said.
“An off-leash area would also prevent backyard escapes, which is good news for everyone.”
Cr Beardon said he will continue to push the idea and would reintroduce his notice of motion to council soon.