Mitchell Shire Council’s August meeting discussed an on-leash dog order, following concerns raised about a dog attack incident in Seymour in 2021, which saw a victim airlifted to hospital and the dog consequently put down.
The meeting determined that dogs will be required to be kept on a leash at all times unless within a fenced, designated off-leash dog park, or on private property, with Council agreeing to note the motion and proceed with the community consultation process.
Councillor Annie Goble moved the order, and said she welcomed the report.
“I sincerely want to applaud the staff for advancing this notice of motion,” she said.
Cr Goble said she put the motion up six to eight months ago to reduce the possibility of dogs off leashes entering private property and attacking other dogs.
“I want to make it perfectly clear, especially to farmers, that it does not affect dogs on private property where the owner of that property has given permission to the dog owner that the dog can be off lead on their place, and it certainly doesn’t affect working dogs being off leash on the owner’s own property,” she said.
Councillor Rob Eldridge seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously.
Councillor Rhonda Sanderson urged residents to have their say on the report when the consultation period commences in November, 2024.
