Living with the aussie dog leash laws

[basil]

Not sure which forum this is meant to go in, but as it says pets under household I've plonked it here.

 

I'm just wondering if there are any dog lovers who can share the reality of the dog leash laws in their district and how they find walking their dogs where they are?

 

I know that each council stipulates their chosen 'off leash areas' and from visits I can see there's a huge differene between how good or bad the provision is between councils and indeed different states.

 

I know dogs are not allowed close to food outlets but have seen this flouted in many street side cafes.

 

I know they're not allowed in national parks but I've read that some state forests allow dogs off leash (but under control) - are these good places to walk?

 

For those of you that enjoyed long daily off leash walks in the UK (v's a romp in the local park or leash walk) how do you find it?

 

I think it's my only hesitation really about the move, but for me it's a biggie.

[Petals]

Where I live we never see dogs at large at all. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches after 9am in the summer until daylight disappears in the evening. They have just brought in a law that all leashes are not allowed to be more than one metre long.

 

Some dogs are required to wear muzzles.

 

Years ago dogs at large were a problem but they have been so strict around here that people have got the message. That said we still have dog attacks and there are still unresponsible dog owners around. Councils will take them to Court though.

 

Picking up the dog droppings is happening now and some councils have put in bins. Not all though. That said do not see a lot of dog droppings around these days.

 

One council in inner Melbourne resorted to DNA test to catch a dog owner who let his/her dog defacate on the pavement all the time.

 

Lots of dog lovers in Aus but rules are tightening all the time, must be microchipped and fixed unless breeding dog etc.

 

Same with cats we have to register them and they are not allowed to wander at large have to stay on our land and not allowed out overnight. Some subdivisions have covenants which prohibit owning a cat.

[ErmintrudeMcMoo]

Where we are we have a local dog beach, you also have plenty of doggie bins, dotted around the suburbs (usually near the local parks/small reserves, of which there are plenty)as well as free dog bags. All dogs have to be registered and I think you need special permission to own more than 2 dogs (it`s either 2 or 3 can`t quite remember). As a dog owner I think it is a good thing, though you still get lazy idiots who don`t pick up after their dog. I know a dog owner who walked their dog somewhere that they shouldn`t have ( can`t remember if it was a National Park or because there was water nearby that was used in the local water system) but they got taken to court and fined. Just remembered too - our local council is cracking down on dogs sitting with you at outside tables where food is served.

[ozzbound]

We are in Mount Martha and there are 3 off leash areas nearby (that i know of!).

I think they are a fantastic idea and like others have said you don't see dogs trotting around the streets - to be honest I can't remember the last one i did see.

The closest off leash is about the size of 2 standard blocks of land with a doggy bin.

We go there every morning and in the evening we either return there or do the short drive to Dunns Road which is much bigger about the size of a football pitch?? and has an agility course too.

They are well used areas and like i have said i think they are a great idea.

[calNgary]

Hi

We are in Brisbane and there are lots of dog friendly places out here, ive got you a couple of links to look at for more information,,,,

 

Dog parks - Brisbane City Council

Best dog parks | ourbrisbane.com

 

Cal x

[basil]

Thank you for your replies

 

It's good to hear there is dog registration, few roaming dogs and that picking up is common and there are lots of bins - I hate dog dirt as much as any non dog owner!

 

I'm pretty disappointed to hear some off leash areas are still only the size of a football pitch (I've seen smaller still). Really then they're for doggy socialising and fetch rather than an actual off leash walk?

Are they clean? I remember thinking sydneys centennial park and a few others we visited in NSW and WA pretty over-run with dog dirt?

 

I'm pleased there are still some councils that offer beach access too - I really like the idea of being allowed pre 9 am or whatever.

I suppose what you get depends on how responsible people are in your area.

 

It sounds like it's very much about picking the right area really. Ideally I'd like a good, safe, clean off leash park, somewhere with water access (also clean!) and perhaps be only an hour or twos drive from a state forest allowing dogs off leash - anyone used these?

 

I am really going to miss our long walks though, it's just not the same on leash.