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Warrnambool is a great place for dogs in summer, but to help everyone stay safe and enjoy the beach, changes to where dogs are and aren’t allowed are now in effect.
The following rules apply:
• Main beach area (Flume to Breakwater), dogs are not permitted from December 1 to March 31.
• Blue Hole Reserve (Hopkins River Bridge to Mouth, east side), on-leash only from December 1 to March 31.
• Hopkins River and beach frontage (Ski Club), dogs are not permitted between November 1 and April 30.
With Lake Pertobe especially busy at this time of year, it’s another reminder that dogs are not permitted in Lake Pertobe at any time.
Cr Angie Paspaliaris said that she enjoyed visits to the beach with her dogs, but it’s important to know which beaches dogs are allowed on at certain times of the year.
“I think as a Councillor and a dog owner the companionship and fun that a dog can afford you is priceless,” she said.
“Warrnambool is a fantastic place to own a dog. It’s such a wonderful and really beautiful place to explore the outdoors and there’s no better excuse than a dog to encourage you to get out and about.
“When you’re enjoying yourself outside with your dog, we would encourage people to familiarise themselves with the rules on off-leash and on-leash areas.
“It’s just very important for dog owners themselves, their dogs, other dog owners and other dogs for people to show respect, courtesy and just to ensure safety all-round so that everyone can enjoy public spaces.”
There are still options for people who want to spend some off-lead time with their dog on the beach in summer, with the beach from the Flume to the Hopkins River mouth as well as Logans Beach off-lead areas year-round.
Warrnambool City Council Local Laws Coordinator and dog owner Tim Brosowsky said that Council has produced a new colour-coded dog walking map to make it easier to see what the rules are for different areas.
“If you’re looking for a place to walk with your dog off-lead, go to the Warrnambool City Council website and find the dog walking map,” he said.
“That being said, we still ask people to be responsible with their dogs.
“With the increase in animal ownership over the past couple of years comes more dog attacks, so we need to be mindful of the people around us and mindful of our dog’s behaviour.
“We all think our dog is not going to be the dog that causes a problem until it does.
“People might say ‘my dog would never bite anyone’ but unfortunately that time it did. You’re not doing your dog any favours if it bites someone because you didn’t do the right thing.”
You can find the dog walking map, and other information about being a responsible pet owner, at www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/pet-ownership