Dog owners will be banned from letting their dogs run off-leash on Laverton Park’s five sportsgrounds and AB Shaw Reserve playground in Altona Meadows ahead of a municipal-wide review that includes Altona Dog Beach.
Hobsons Bay councillor Colleen Gates said a trial at Altona Meadows was being implemented after instances of dogs rushing at children and complaints from cricket and football clubs.
The council is also reviewing other dog off-leash areas that include sportsgrounds or playgrounds.
“A popular one that people would be aware of is PA Burns Reserve down near the dog beach where we have a cricket ground immediately adjacent to our dog off-leash beach zone, which causes some issues as well,” Cr Gates said.
Laverton Cricket Club president Paul Smith said some dog owners showed complete disregard for others at Laverton Park and AB Shaw Reserve.
“A young girl was walking across the main ground and a guy pulled up at the carpark and let three of his dogs off. One of them chased her across the ground,” he said.
“And then we’ve had kids knocked over at the playground.
“You wouldn’t believe the number of confrontations I’ve had when I’ve approached people to remove their dogs.”
He said one cricket match was cancelled due to wicket damage caused by a dog, while others had been delayed because of dog droppings.
“We’ve had games that have started 40 minutes late because sides wouldn’t play until all the dog droppings were picked up,” Mr Smith said.
“We’ve actually had guys land in it.”
Cr Gates said while removing the playing fields from the dog off-leash zone, there is still plenty of space for pet owners to run their dogs.
