Dog owners in Point Cook, including Alison Abela and Ollie, would like a safe place to exercise their dogs off lead, and have asked to Wyndham City Council to help them out. 72558 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Alesha Capone
POINT Cook pet owners have appealed to Wyndham City Council for a parcel of land where they can safely exercise dogs off lead.
A Facebook group called ‘Responsible Pet Ownership – Point Cook’ have submitted their plea to Wyndham City Council, as part of its annual budget consultation with residents.
The submission said there were more than 2550 dogs registered in Point Cook and the present off lead situation “is certainly not adequate and needs to be addressed”.
The submission’s author, Suzanne Butler, said residents were concerned there was “no suitable area for dogs to be exercised off lead” in the area.
According to the Wyndham City Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan, there are 13 off lead areas in the municipality, but only one in Point Cook, along Skeleton Creek.
“I know where it is and I would not take my dog down there,” Ms Butler said.
“Most people avoid it and travel to Altona or Werribee to exercise their dogs instead.”
She said many dog owners stayed away from the Skeleton Creek spot, due to flooding, snakes in summer, its closeness to the Princes Highway without being fenced off and a lack of bins and bag dispensers.
Ms Butler said it could take up to 20 minutes to drive to Altona with her dog, depending on traffic.
She said a safer off lead area would help to foster community spirit and socialise animals, so they were less likely to be involved in dog attacks.
The submission asked the council to consult with Point Cook residents to help find an alternate to their present off lead area.
A council spokeswoman said all budget submissions would be taken into account, as part of a formal consideration process which goes to council in the future.
