A SURGE of complaints about dodgy dog behaviour during the coronavirus shutdown period has led to Wodonga Council seeking feedback on future canine controls in open spaces.
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In the absence of other recreational pursuits during COVID-19, the city's parks have experienced a spike in patronage from dog owners.
But the up-tick in exercise with a dog has brought with it concerns, according to Cr Kat Bennett.
"During COVID we've seen more people out walking, which is awesome, but there is a bit of confusion about on-leash, off-leash," she said.
"Dogs have to be under voice control if they are off-leash.
"They might be rushing up to people and that kind of stuff.
"It's just irresponsible pet ownership and there have definitely been more complaints than we would normally receive."
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Cr Bennett, who always walks with her two dogs, Pappi and Scout, said she had personally been inundated with queries from people about the exact rules relating to dogs in open spaces.
Presently, dogs in Wodonga don't need to be on-leash but do need to be under effective control.
At last month's council meeting, Cr Bennett moved a motion asking for a report on on-leash investigation with part of the response being the community having their say whether Wodonga should be an on-leash only area, but with provision of off-leash parks.
The council's compliance team leader Craig McClanahan said the present laws were confusing.
"The current law says they can be off-leash," he said.
"It's also more about responsible pet ownership.
"It's making sure people are looking after their dogs and making sure they are controlled, particularly in public parks and not rushing to people and scaring them."
He said his biggest concern was owners not training their dogs correctly.
"People have had their dogs at home for some time and as a result the dogs haven't been trained correctly on voice command," he said.
"It's more about educating the owner, not necessarily the dog."
The proposed off-leash areas under consideration include the Kiewa River at Killara, McLean Park, Ewart Brothers Reserve, Susan Campbell Reserve, Gordon Craig Park, Gayview Drive, Felltimber Estate, Foxglove Terrace and on the banks of Lake Hume at Jacksons Point, Ebden and Ludlows.
An existing gated dog park is near Sumsion Gardens, but others have been flagged for Birallee Park and Willow Park.
Submissions and a survey on the council website close on July 2.
