Free Dog’s Breakfast event on this Sunday at Suffolk Park

Published on 02 October 2018

Pooches and their pals are invited to Byron Shire’s FREE and inaugural ‘Dog’s Breakfast’ this Sunday (October 7) at the Suffolk Park Dog Exercise area at 94 to 104 Beech Drive. 

The event will run from 7.30am until 9.30am and everyone is reminded to BYO leashes and poop bags!

“This is a free dog-friendly event to promote and celebrate responsible dog ownership across the Shire with a barbeque breakfast for dog-owners, specialist veterinary advice on dog care and loads of giveaway dog goodies,” event organiser and Council’s Koala Project Officer, Joanne Green said.

“We are really excited to be hosting this initiative in partnership with the NSW Government’s ‘Saving our Species Program’, My Vet Byron Bay, The Larder Byron Bay, Friends of the Koala and Bangalow Koalas,” Ms Green said.

“As well as all the fun and giveaways, there’s a more serious side to the morning’s celebrations, with a focus on what’s being done locally to curb dog attacks on koalas.

“Unfortunately land clearing and urban development have reduced koala habitat to remnant patches forcing koalas to spend more time on the ground as they travel between feed trees and because of this, koalas are more susceptible to attacks by domestic dogs,” Ms Green said.

“We know that 115 koalas have been injured by domestic dog attacks since 2009 in the Northern Rivers area and some of these attacks happened in the Byron Shire.

“However in the last five years, there has been a decline in reported domestic dog attacks on koalas, and we believe this is the result of increased education.

“That’s why it’s important to bring our information to events like a Dog’s Breakfast – to remind dog owners why it’s vital that dogs are not left free to roam the neighbourhood and to make sure their dogs are on a lead when out walking,” she said.

For further information contact Council’s Koala Project Officer Joanne Green on (02) 6626 7068.