The National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has expressed its concern over an increase in the number of people bringing their dogs into national parks.
Area Manager at NPWS, Graham Bush said that while it was great to see so many people using parks to exercise, walking with dogs was having a major impact on native wildlife and other park users.
“NPWS recently received reports of dogs attacking bushwalkers on the Illawarra Escarpment,” Mr Bush said.
“We are looking into this very serious matter and want to remind people that it is illegal to take dogs into national parks,” he said.
“While those caught with a dog can face fines of $300, we are ultimately appealing to people to be responsible pet owners and respectful park users.”
Mr Bush said dogs could also have a significant impact on local wildlife and even the most well-behaved dog could inadvertently scare or harm native wildlife.
“Dogs will also leave their scent in the bush and this may keep wildlife away or disrupt their natural behaviour,” he said.
The Area Manager said NPWS regularly conducted pest management programs across parks and reserves which made the areas unsafe for pets.
“Pest management programs such as fox control use 1080 baits to protect native animals from introduced species,” he said.
“These baits are lethal to domestic dogs which is again why people should please keep their pets out of parks,” Mr Bush said.
