By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN AND KATE VALLENCE
DOG owners will have to keep their pets on leashes everywhere unless in specifically-signed off-leash areas, a new Geelong animal management plan stipulates.
And council officers will ramp up patrols to enforce the crackdown in on and off-leash areas.
The new plan includes mandatory desexing for all new cat registrations and desexing of all registered cats in the next four years.
Cr Kylie Fisher said stricter controls would assist in preventing high numbers of animals in local shelters.
“The cat population in Geelong is a huge problem,” she said.
“If people decide to have a pet they must take care of them.”
A report to council said options to provide low-cost desexing would be explored to help defray the veterinary cost.
“All public open space areas shall be designated as on-leash/controlled areas, including roads, footpaths, beaches, reserves, parks, playgrounds and other council lands and buildings,” the report said.
Public consultation on the issue revealed the community was dissatisfied with the level of enforcement of dog rules, the report said.
Increased enforcement would mean extra resources allocated to “deliver the level of compliance expected by the community”.
“The community has strongly indicated that a visible enforcement presence is critical to the success of the plan,” the report said.
Council would also investigate suitable areas for dedicated and fenced dog parks.
The report said council already worked with Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Barwon Coast Committee of Management on dog-control orders.
Council would also work with Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management to develop “harmonious” dog-control orders.
