AUSTRALIA has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world with approximately 61 per cent of households owning pets.

And of those, by far the most common is dogs (40%), followed by cats (27%).

So, it stands to reason there will be a lot of dogs needing a walk in Bass Coast and South Gippsland, all the more so when the holidaymakers and day trippers arrive for the summer.

While Bass Coast has a very structured approach to where and when you can walk your dog, including a full set of maps, locations and times at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dogwalking at South Gippsland, they are just coming to terms with that approach.

At the November 2022 council meeting, the South Gippsland Shire Council adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) but many aspects of the plan are yet to be implemented.

During the consultation phases, 84% agree that “there will be a need for designated off-leash areas should a dog leash order be introduced” and the shire plans to provide designated, fenced off-leash areas with appropriate facilities in townships across South Gippsland, including at ovals, parks, reserves and beaches.

But so far, there’s been no formal implementation.

So, for now, the old Local Law applies, you can basically walk your off leash in public places including recreation reserves and parks (unless otherwise signposted) provided the dog is “under effective control” at all times.

The South Gippsland Shire Council doesn’t have any rules around walking dogs on the beach, and at present, defers to Parks Victoria on that.

Parks Victoria allows dogs to be walked on the beach in a few locations of South Gippsland but they must be on-leash at all times.

Locations where you can walk your dog include (but not between the hours of 9am-6pm December 1-March 30):

· Walkerville North and South

· Venus Bay No.1 Beach to No.5 Beach

· Waratah Bay township to Cook Creek

South Gippsland plans to introduce a Leash Order this year “to reduce the incidence of wandering/unrestrained dogs in public places and number of dogs causing nuisance”.

It’s worth noting there have been precious few cases where dogs have caused nuisance, beyond owners not picking up after their dogs.

In the financial year 2020-21 there were 37 cases of gog rushes or attacks in South Gippsland, six successful prosecutions, 124 dogs impounded and nine euthanised.

No bad out of a resident dog population (registered dogs) of 5710.

Bass Coast

Bass Coast Shire Council’s summer regulations relating to dogs on beaches is now in effect.

Dog owners are encouraged to make sure they are following the regulations by checking the signs at the access points to beaches and reserves or by visiting Council’s website at: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dogwalking.

There are several off-leash areas across Bass Coast, including four on Phillip Island, one in San Remo and several others from Inverloch through to Grantville. Dogs must be kept on a leash when walking along tracks through the foreshore.

A few things to remember when using the off-leash areas with your dog include:

* 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 the summer period to make sure everyone is doing the right thing and having a great time. Where appropriate, Council Officers will issue infringement notices to dog owners who are found 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.

Pick up after your dog

The Local Law in South Gippsland which applies to dog poo is as follows:

Animal excrement (1) A person in charge of an animal must not allow any part of the animal’s excrement to remain on or in a public place within a built-up area. (2) A person in charge of an animal which litters in a public place must immediately collect and dispose of the litter in such a manner so as not to cause a nuisance to any other person. Page 21 (3) A person whilst in charge of an animal in a public place must carry an effective device for the collection of the animal’s excrement.