The Northern Rivers Times Edition 128

Tweed Dog Blitz nets Big Returns

By MARGARET DEKKER

Tweed Council rangers have issued more than 80 fnes to dog owners along the Tweed Coast in the past month as its new pilot program ‘Take the Lead’ ramps up across the Shire in a bid by authorities to reduce the number of dogs off-leash and causing harm.

“This blitz is part of a targeted program to reduce the number of dogs off-leash in public places,” a statement by Tweed Shire Council read.

“Did you know the whole of NSW is designated as an on-leash area and the only time you can have your dog off-leash in a public space is when you see a sign saying you are in an off-leash area?”

With a $316 fne per animal, and 80 dogowners now issued with a fne, Tweed Shire Council has already netted more than 25-thousand dollars under the program’s blitz, which runs until the end of the month.

Tweed Shire Council is fining owners of dogs off-leash

Tweed Shire Council announced the ‘Take the Lead’ program in early Spring in a desperate effort to curb local dog owners’ behaviours around dog leashing - particularly on the Coast – and have owners better understand the need to keep their dog/s on a lead.

Researchers found a whopping 73-percent of dog owners along the Tweed Coast, specifcally Casuarina Beach, Fingal Head, Hastings Point and Wooyung Beach, let their dogs run off-leash on the beach despite these being ‘priority on-leash locations.’

At the time Cr James Owen, himself a dog owner, told Council the threat from off-leash dogs to wildlife, other pets and people is growing in the Tweed Shire, and more needs to be done to get local dogs on leads.

“I see it on a daily basis, and I experience it and I have a lot of people coming to me about issues with dogs,” Cr Owen said in October.

“We’ve got to do more as the Shire becomes more populated, lots of people are getting dogs, lots of people got dogs in lockdown, dog ownership has increased quite signifcantly,” he said.

Council research also found dog-owners were not familiar with designated off-lead beaches/areas and concerningly dog-owners did not associate dogleashing behaviour with wildlife protection.

The research also suggested that ‘increasing people’s knowledge of and perceived likelihood of receiving fnes for having their dogs offleash in on-leash areas will change behaviours.’

Time will tell if the strategy – and damage to the dog-owner’s hip pocket – will see more dogs on leads in public places like the beach.

“Our offcers, in partnership with TweedByron Police District, will be continuing to conduct this targeted enforcement program and issuing fnes,” a statement

New signs along the Tweed Coast remind dog-owners of the need for a lead

by Tweed Shire Council read.

It comes as a Pottsville mum issued her own impassioned plea to dog owners to “please keep pets on leads” after an alleged, terrifying home invasion by an off-leash Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy.)

“This afternoon my 6-year-old was scared stiff and although calming down, had had 2

different nightmares and can’t sleep tonight still. A neighbour’s staffy, cute dog, ran from their yard directly across the road. Mr 6 was just going in the front door to get

something while I was out front doing Christmas lights, the dog bolted straight in our door. Mr 6 ran out the side door and our cat screeched .. He’s ok, we weren’t touched, but quite a bit traumatised that a dog could run into our house,” the ‘Pottsville Mum’ posted to social media to heated mixed response