Paws away: spring fever is here

Spring is here and with it, animal mating season where our native species including magpies, miners and beach-nesting birds are mating, breeding, and raising their young. 

For the protection of native animals, dog owners are reminded to keep their dogs on a leash in areas where wild animals live, especially from September to November. Bayside’s Local Laws Officers will be patrolling our parks and beaches to ensure that owners are taking the lead in responsible pet ownership.

It is important to familiarise yourself with the current regulations and on leash requirements for dogs on beaches and in reserves in your local area.

This includes following the rules of on leash dog zones where the area provides an important refuge for native plants and wildlife including places such as Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve.

The park is home to many special animals that include several threatened and near threatened species such as the Purple Swamphen, White-faced Heron, Eastern Rosellas, Crested Pigeons and Long-billed Corella (photographed below). Spring is an important time to help increase the opportunities for improving the habitat not only in the reserve but in Bayside.

We encourage you to continue including your four-legged family members in your daily exercise routine but take the opportunity to understand the areas that are best suited for play to help avoid costly fines or even prosecution.

For more information: bayside.vic.gov.au/walking-your-dog-bayside

Pictured: Long-billed Corella, native to Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve.