I think there is a lot more at stake for us (and I speak as a dog owner!).
Dogs threaten species like the Hooded Plover and the Fairy Tern on their
nesting grounds - both are endangered endemics (I think??) and rely heavily
on undisturbed coastal areas.
I am not sure what sort of "Agreement" we could have - I think all we can do
is spread the message that dogs and birds do not mix well and whilst this
may not matter too much in some areas in others it is critical to the
species survival. I would point out that horses and 4WD on beaches are also
large threats to these species!
On 18/02/2008, Peter Shute <> wrote:
>
> How would you suggest we state our case?
>
> At stake for dog owners is the ability to walk their dogs off leash,
> which presumably gives the dogs about 10km of exercise for every km the
> owner walks.
>
> At stake for us is ... what? The survival of the very occasional
> locally rare bird that's common further north. The possible
> recolonisation (if that's a word) of the area by this and other unknown
> species. A more interesting outing for birders. It might not sound
> very urgent to a non-birder.
>
> We'd be asking them to give up a very valuable resource, so I think a
> lot of compromise from both sides would be necessary in order to come to
> any agreement.
>
> Peter Shute
>
> wrote on Sunday, 17 February 2008 5:18
> PM:
>
> > Like Tracey, I'm also a member of both, and our very popular dog club
> > follows the same criteria of responsible dog ownership. And
> > while I love
> > birds, I wouldn't be a very happy person without my dogs and
> > our various
> > canine pursuits (obedience, flyball and agility training and
> > competing). While many people can live happily without 4 legged
> > friends,
> > I'm certainly
> > not one of them. And I also do get a LOT of enjoyment from
> > visiting wild birds (wedgies, nesting Buff-banded Rails, resident
> > Choughs, corellas etc), many kangaroos & echidnas to our property -
> > we are Land for Wildlife accredited. With a bit of care it is very
> > easy to have
> > both. I do realise
> > that unfortunately not ALL dog owners think alike having
> > recently had a
> > heated 'issue' with a neighbour over their wandering beagle.
> >
> > The Vic body is Dogs Victoria (just recently had name change from The
> > Victorian Canine Association) It puts out a very nice
> > monthly magazine
> > and I think Tracey's idea is a very good one.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Karen Pearson.
> > Warrandyte Sth, Vic
> >
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