Summer is just around the corner, bringing warmer weather and longer days, perfect for getting outside with your dogs.
Having a dog in your family comes with responsibilities and council is encouraging all residents and visitors to be vigilant when it comes to responsible pet ownership.
To help dog owners, council runs a range of pet education programs and events throughout the year, including a kids education program, pop-up stalls at beaches, dog parks and other community events, barking seminars and microchipping days.
Division 3 Cr Peter Cox attended a pop-up education stall at Ballinger Beach and accompanied officers on their beach patrol.
"It's great to see so many local dog owners enjoying our outdoors and doing the right thing, but unfortunately there are still some who don't, and that needs to change," Cr Cox said.
"Each year we see far too many dog attacks in our region.
"There have been 360 reported attacks so far this year alone, including seven here in the Ballinger Beach/Currimundi area, and each one could have been avoided.
"Officers also pick up thousands of doggie bags each year left behind on our beaches and parks by irresponsible dog owners.
"The community response to the pop-up booth has been really positive and they appreciate our efforts to educate dog owners.
"But, at the end of the day, it's a dog owner's responsibility to pick up after their dog and to keep people and pets safe from a dog attack so council will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to irresponsible dog ownership."
Top tips for responsible dog owners:
- dogs must always be under effective management, even in on-off leash areas
- check signage, and if in doubt, keep your dog on a leash
- always carry a dog poo bag
- never leave used bags behind, you must take them with you
- make sure all dogs are wearing a council tag and have been microchipped
- ensure your containment at home is adequate so your dog can't escape
Want to learn more?
Kids educational program – an interactive program promoting responsible pet ownership and dog bite prevention. Council officers visit various schools and early childhood centres on the Sunshine Coast to teach children how to keep their pets safe and happy and important tips on how to stay safe around dogs, so they don't get bitten.
Microchipping Days – in the past year council provided free microchipping for 132 dogs. Future microchipping days will be promoted and information available on council's website when they are scheduled in 2019.
Park the Bark seminar – a free seminar presented by well-known animal behaviourist Dr Cam Day to help owners manage their dog's problem barking. Seminars have been held at Kureelpa, Kawana and Landsborough. Future seminars will be promoted and information available on council's website when they are scheduled in 2019.
Pop-up events - Council officers provide information on responsible pet ownership including cleaning up after your pet, registration and exercising dogs in public places. Council also attends local community events such as SCARs 4PAWS charity walk.
On the following dates, council's Response Services Officers will be available at a pop-up education booth to provide the community and visitors with information about responsible pet ownership.
| LOCATION | DATE | TIME |
| Beerwah Park | December 1 | 7-9.30am |
| Shelley Beach Park, Shelley Beach carpark | December 9 | 7-9.30am |
| Ballinger Beach, Buderim Street, Dicky Beach | December 15 | 7-9.30am |
| La Balsa Park, Harbour Parade, Buddina | December 23 | 7-9.30am |
| Maleny Showgrounds | December 29 | 7-9.30am |
| Brightwater Lake Park, Freshwater Street, Brightwater | January 6 | 7-9.30am |
| Buderim Village Park, King Street | January 12 | 7-9.30am |
| Cotton Tree Park, The Esplanade | January 20 | 7-9.30am |
| The Avenue Park, The Avenue, Peregian Springs | January 27 | 7-9.30am |
| Petrie Park, Nambour | February 3 | 7-9.30am |
