Ballarat City Council has issued a warning for pet owners to be aware of their obligations when walking their dogs in the municipality’s parks and gardens.
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There are eight designated off-leash areas across the municipality, but outside of those, dogs must be on a leash.
Pet owners must also be able to take control of their dog if it runs within 10 metres of any shared track or 50 metres of playgrounds, sporting grounds or permanent barbecue area.
Alfredton resident Marnie Hines owns a cavdoodle, named Pippa, who she regularly walks on-leash at Lake Wendouree.
Ms Hines said some of the off-leash areas felt unsafe.
“There is only the one off-leash area at Cuthberts Road within my area,” she said.
“I am not comfortable in Victoria park by myself.
“We come here because of the use at Lake Wendouree and there are cars and more people about.”
Owners must remain in effective voice or hand control of their dogs and within constant sight of them at all times.
They must also ensure the dog does not threaten, worry or cause a nuisance to other people or animals.