Places for pooches

WITH more than 52,000 dogs living in Greater Geelong, providing fenced, well-designed places for them to run off-leash and play has become a priority for their owners and the local council.

Dog parks have become the buzz words across the community, with the dedicated dog park at Belmont becoming an instant attraction, inundated with people and pets at its opening in June.

Construction of a new, fenced dog park at Lara’s Hovells Creek Reserve is due to start in October and playful pooches should be running free by the end of the year.

Corio’s Stead Park has just reopened to the public and their furry friends after a canine-friendly makeover at the off-leash area.

Stead Park’s upgrade has included new fences and gates; new dog equipment including sit stand platforms, a jump-through structure and hurdles; separate fenced areas for passive and active dogs; gardens and shade trees; and a water fountain.

“We have learnt a lot about off-leashed fenced dog park since building this park, including creating two separate areas for high intensity and low intensity dogs,” Cr Anthony Aiken said.

“This has been incorporated into the improvements into this dog park.

“One improvement local users asked for was double gate entry and exit, which the team has been able to deliver.

“We hope residents and their furry friends enjoy the improvements as much as we did building them.”

City of Greater Geelong has also launched an investigation into establishing a greyhound off-leash area where retired, never-raced or never-bred-to-race greyhounds can run off-leash like other breeds without breeching the Domestic Animals Act.

Under current legislation, while other dog breeds can go leash-free at enclosed dog parks, greyhounds, regardless of whether they have been trained to race or not, do not have the same entitlements.

Under the Domestic Animals Act, the city can consider establishing a dedicated greyhound off-leash area for them to exercise but it must specify it only applies for pet greyhounds, the location, approved times and purpose.

Cr Aitken gained unanimous support from his fellow councillors for his notice of motion for the council to consider an off-leash greyhound area in Geelong.

The council investigation will consider existing and potentially new dedicated off-leash areas, including a possible dedicated greyhound slipping track, with officers to consult with Greyhound Racing Victoria, local representatives of the Greyhound Adoption Program and local community greyhound owners of both retired and never-bred-to-be-raced greyhounds.