Dogs versus birds no contest

8/3/2019

By Jeff Nottle

OUR council is currently reviewing policies regarding dogs on beaches on Phillip Island. I personally believe this discussion seems to inevitably result in an unfortunate collision of perceived rights and entitlements of people, pets and wildlife.

Strong sentiment is expressed and unfortunately this can, and does, result is some disrespectful comments, especially on social media.

Many dog owners have a perception that Phillip Island’s beaches are a free-for-all as far as off-leash dogs are concerned and what may have occurred in the past still meets the community’s expectations today. We believe we need to work hard to reverse these perceptions.

The Phillip Island Conservation Society has a guiding principle: to "Save Wildlife Today for Tomorrow". After 50 years we still believe that. Saving the threatened hooded plovers is vitally important to PICS.

Hooded plovers breed on many of our beaches and are very mobile over long stretches of beach.
Hooded plover chicks were being killed by foxes and dogs and unfortunately today are still being killed by off-leash dogs.
Wallabies are sometimes found exhausted and drowned in the sea after being chased by off-leash dogs.

Whilst many dog owners behave responsibly and walk their dogs on leash on our beaches giving their dog’s sufficient exercise, many do not.

Fair and equitable?

Currently, the only off-leash beach area on Phillip Island is located at Ventnor. Bass Coast Council is considering four new off-leash areas:

San Remo (Foots Beach)
Newhaven (next to Phillip Island bridge)
Cleeland Bight/Cape Woolamai (three options on the main beach)
Cowes (west of the Yacht Club).

According to the council, “The four proposed locations provide the opportunity for fair and equitable use of beaches, while considering amenity and the environment.”

PICS believes:

Dogs off leash are not under effective control;
There should be no more off-leash dog beaches on Phillip Island, apart from the current off-leash beach at Graydens Road, Ventnor;
All other council-managed beaches need to be on-leash beaches;
No dogs should be on Nature Parks’ managed beaches at any time;
Council should be congratulated on the success of the Blue Gum Reserve dog off-leash area;
Council should identify alternative off-leash land based areas in Newhaven, Cape Woolamai, Ventnor and Smiths Beach;
Council should install signage at key beach locations that is clear and concise with graphics where appropriate; and
Council and Nature Parks’ enforcement of regulations needs to be comprehensive and enforced year round.

Jeff Nottle is president of the Phillip Island Conservation Society

5 Comments

Liz Glynn

9/3/2019 09:17:26 pm

The PICS suggestion is just an ambit claim with a raft of dreamy wishes. Why don't t they come out and ask the Shire to phase out all future dog and cat ownership on the Island and make it into a true wildlife sanctuary. We know this will NEVER happen. It is currently a very restricted environment for dog owners and there is a real need for at least another 2 beach areas for such use.

Phyllis Papps

11/3/2019 11:20:57 am

What a great article Jeff - written on behalf of the Phillip Island Conservation Society and the Bass community in general.
What I think we need to work out is how to find a delicate balance between the dreams and passions of the environmentalists and conservationists, versus the sometimes very selfish and irresponsible dog/cat owners, versus the needs of our very best dog/cat friends.
I am, and always have been, a very responsible dog owner since we moved here to Phillip Island in 2001 and even before.
Dogs on leashes at all times. YES.
Cats inside (especially at night and always with a bell collar). YES, because they are killers of our wonderful bird and wildlife.
Let's try to find the right balance AND always make sure that the millions of visitors and holiday home owners are aware of how to protect and respect our environment. That is the reason why they come here.

Jenny Skewes

12/3/2019 07:27:44 pm

Dogs do need to run, but they are happy to run anywhere. It's the owners who want to walk on the beach, but that's where dogs often harass wildlife and annoy beach-goers. More inland areas should be chosen for off-lead dogs, and beach regulations should be enforced.

Sunny

17/3/2019 05:16:36 pm

I agree Sunny, beach regulations are not enforced and people are ignoring all signage, they do as they please. I love dogs but not their poo. I love seeing dogs having a good time, but not chasing wildlife. Most dog owners are good, buy many are too busy looking at their phones or just plain ignoring what their dog is doing. Same as always a few spoiling for the others.

Sunny

17/3/2019 05:14:13 pm

I am not a pet owner but I love dogs. I do not like their poo. I do not like that they are killing wildlife. I am sick of the neighbour's cat killing birds in my backyard. I am sick of picking up dog poo left in bags on the beach and in the bushes. I once spoke to someone who was reading the dog restriction sign at San Remo and looking a bit confused, and they told me they found it on an app that it was a dog beach. I always see dogs on beaches without leashes, everyone ignores the restrictions. I never see rangers EVER. No point in having laws if they are not policed. More signage is needed, more information to locals and tourists, more control. Once they get that done then give them a couple of beaches and off leash areas somewhere else. And hurry up with the laws to keep all cats inside or in cat runs, they kill the most including feral cats.

Dogs versus birds no contest

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