Dog Walking

I am strongly opposed to allowing dogs into national parks. There are few places we can go these days without being harassed by people's dogs and their doings and the tranquility of the National Parks should be preserved as it is. In fact better policing of the current rules should be applied because people seem to ignore the rules an awful lot.

Also there would be an impact on native wildlife.

Dog owners have already taken ownership of the parks and playgrounds and playing fields. At least leave the National Parks pet free.

Dogs are wonderful companion animals and so are cats. But they don't mix with wildlife and parks are for the wild animals not for our pets.

There is less bush around now with our Sydney harbour park being one of the most beautiful to visit. So while it is very tempting to walk our dogs in such a wonderful place, we need to have a place for our wildlife to live.

Dog walking should not be allowed in any National Parks.

These parks are a safe haven for our beautiful native animals, and the plants. The dogs have got plenty of other places they can be walked, and they have a home of their own.

The native creatures home is the national park.

I own dogs.

I love dogs.

I breed dogs.

I exhibit dogs.

I live right next door to parkland where owners can walk their dogs on lead and unfortunately, most disobey the rules. Once in the bush, the dogs are let off leads.

Heaven help any ground dwelling birds who are setting on eggs. Heaven help any litte creatures that didnt scurry away in time. And you know what? The dog owners will tell you that their dogs wouldnt bite anything. Sad.

National parks are for wildlife.

Dog parks and other places are for dogs.

regards,

Mozzie

You state "many dog owners would like to be able to walk their dogs in the National Park". Is this really the case?

I have recently moved to Sydney and there are numerous parks around Harbour that provide on-leash and off-leash areas.

I can't believe that allowing dogs into National Parks is seriously being considered by NPWS? Is this really the case?

I think responsible dog walking in National Parks should be allowed. Our dog is a part of our family and goes most places with with us, how ever she can not go in National Parks. Not everyone wants to walk their dog around an oval or the streets.

I have a dog but there is no way I'd bring it to a National Park. I can't believe the amount of selfish dog owners that I constantly see with their dogs at Dobroyd and Bradleys Head. Sure we could ask for more Rangers to patrol this - but why can't people take responsibility for themselves! There are signs at every entrance to the National Park saying no dogs - stop ignoring them. I want to make sure we still have penguins and bandicoots around the Harbour for many years to come. Where else in the world do you have a country's biggest city with so much wildlife on its doorstep?

I am strongly opposed to dogs being permitted in national parks. Sadly dog owners are always trying to push the boundaries and many dont think the rules apply to them. Seems the only way to keep them out of the national parks is to keep baiting for foxes!!

I am involved in Bushcare and I do not have a dog. While agreeing with the NPWS reasons for not allowing dogs I believe that there can be benefits from allowing dogs on-lead in some sections of parks. Some reasons for allowing dogs-on-lead are:-

1) the more people who can use a Park the more support we have in the community for the parkland.

2) people, ie ratbags, are a problem too and allowing normal people, albeit with their dog, into parks is an effective mechanism for keeping ratbags out. The more empty the park, the more it is subject to human weeds.

In my experience working in a 20+ha reserve in the Shire, on balance dog-walkers are good for the reserve. In reality, a couple of dogs running loose is the least of the problems in managing the bushland, and the dog owners become very supportive of Bushcare.

This should not be a blanket rule. Surely not all our parks have species that are threatened by dogs? Why not allow dogs where there is no good reason to exclude them and have stronger enforcement in other areas?

I'm sorry, this is going to sound like a rant about dog owners but it is not. I am very concerned about this issue and am strongly opposed to the introduction of dogs in National Parks on any grounds.

I had much sympathy for dog owners until I started working in a park environment.

I work in an urban park environment in which just less than one-half is dog off-leash. Despite there being some very good and legitimate reasons for the other areas being on-leash I am constantly flabbergasted by the number of dog owners who simply do not care and feel that regulations and signs are "for others" and "not for me because my dog would never hurt a fly". They just let their dogs run free and claim innocence when confronted by a ranger.

Dogs don't NEED to go into National Parks - instead many dog owners WANT to take their dogs there. As a dog owner you yourself may be bored by walking around ovals or streets, but do you honestly think your dog cares whether it is in an urban street or in bushland?

Please think of the wider issues involved and not just about yourself and your own wants.

There are so many areas dog owners can walk their dogs in this city - don't ruin the few remaining areas of decent National Park we have left by unnecessarily allowing dogs into them.

No dogs in National Parks.

Keep the rule simple and clear and enforce it.

On the spot fine for 'dog off leash' in Manly is $220.It is quite effective and would help repay the cost of random enforcement by NPWS(or perhaps Council rangers under contract?).

National parks exist for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, protecting cultural landscapes and buildings of heritage significance and providing recreational opportunities consistent with these values.

These objectives are enshrined in the National Parks and Wildlife Act and have been the principles of managing national parks since they were first created over 100 years ago.

The provision of access for any domestic pet (whether dog, cat, pig, bird, horse, camel, alpaca, goat, etc) is not compatible with these objectives and should not be considered.

All these reasons aside, can't we retain a few areas in Sydney in which we can be assured we wont step in dog crap or get harrassed by dogs off leads?

Of course dogs under adequate control should be allowed in National Parks - the anti-dog hysteria on this page is unbelieveable - dogs under control cause less damage than drunken louts ho manage to leave food packaging and broken bottles -

Dogs should be banned from all National Parks.

Personally, I have never felt the need to own a dog or any living creature. My personal relationships with humans are quite satisfying.

The thought of having to experience national parks in the company of dogs is the stuff of nightmares.

Maintain the prohibition on dogs in national parks. Where is the evidence of demonstrated need?

If dog owners want to walk in national parks, they can - just leave the mutt at home please.