Councillor Lindsay Brown has given notice that he will move the motion that Council expand the Companion Animal Management Plan education program to include shared pedestrian areas that are highly frequented by walkers and cyclists, utilising a proposed budget of $20,000pa to offer education around dog poo and unleashed fidos. The Councillor acknowledges the increase the footpath and cycleway networks across the shire and the increase of community members walking their dogs throughout the day however he points out that this increase has also led to some “conflict” between those users of footpaths ie: pedestrians, cyclists, etc and dog owners whose dogs are off leash. The Councillor notes in his overview for the motion that most cyclists are constantly being placed in dangerous situations with unleashed dogs erratically running across pathways and forcing them off the cycleway. Councillor Brown offers the following as background to his motion "I myself have had numerous situations that could have caused accidents by unleashed dogs." "Recently when accessing Wagonga Inlet at a boat ramp, I politely asked the owner of a dog that was off leash which had defecated adjacent to my kayak, to remove the offending deposit. I was informed that he was “about to get a coffee and don’t want the smell on my hands”. When I again politely asked the owner again on removing his dog’s dropping, I was told “just walk around it”. "Most dog owners are responsible owners however a number do not take their responsibility seriously, nor do a number have their dogs on leash on shared pathways etc." Councillor Brown is hoping that the expected $20,000 Companion Animal education program to commence in March,will be a perfect opportunity to expand the program and also include cycleways, boardwalks, footpaths, school areas, retail precincts etc.
