- Dogs are prohibited within a radius of 10 meters from playgrounds
- Frankston Council will fine owners $200
- Many other municipalities have similar rules
- READ MORE: Federal government marks new rules for cat owners
Dog owners have made their voices heard at a Melbourne council meeting over a controversial rule banning them from taking their pets near a public playground.
Residents will now be fined if their dogs are within 10 meters of a public children’s play area in the Frankston local government area, in the south-east of the city.
The rule was first introduced in 2022 and has recently moved from the education phase to enforcement, with dog owners being fined $200 for violating the guideline.
Extra council patrols will be stepped up to ensure ‘greater compliance’, while the public is urged to report incidents of ongoing non-compliance.
New signs have also been placed in parks to remind residents of the rules.
Independent Frankston councilor Kris Bolam confirmed on social media this week that fines now apply, sparking divided reactions from the community.
Many municipalities have banned dogs from children’s playgrounds (stock image)
Frankston Council has installed new signs to remind dog owners that fines now apply
The dog ban was first introduced in 2022 after a series of distressing incidents on the LGA coast.
“One of these residents had the horrific experience of witnessing her granddaughter being attacked by a stray dog,” Cr. Bolam out.
‘Although the little girl fortunately only escaped with a few scratches, the experience had a major impact on the resident.’
He warned that council officers will increase the number of patrols in areas of ‘recorded non-compliance’ to ensure the rules are being followed.
“These new rules are not about raising revenue or ‘the nanny state,’” Bolam wrote.
“Rather, it is about the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable: children.
“Of all places, we expect children to be safest on our public playgrounds.”
Dogs are not allowed within 10 meters of Frankston Council playgrounds (one pictured)
The new rules led to a divided response from the community.
‘It’s a shame that families can no longer take their dogs for a walk to the park with their children. There are too many stupid illegal rules you and other council members are making,” one person commented.
Another added: ‘This is just another rule for irresponsible owners to ignore while punishing families who try to do the right thing.’
A third wrote: ‘I don’t understand how this solves the dog problem.
‘Dogs were not allowed to run loose. This is just another rule for irresponsible owners to ignore while punishing families who try to do the right thing.”
But many others welcomed the crackdown.
“A pet does not trump a child’s right to be happy and have fun without having to worry about someone’s dog running up to them or s******g in the playground,” one person wrote.
Another added: ‘This is amazing. We were in Overport last weekend and had a near miss with a stray dog we were walking past in the parking lot.”
Frankston was also one of the first municipalities in Australia to ban smoking within 10 meters of playgrounds.
Dog owners must pay a $200 fine if their pets get too close to a playground in the Frankston LGA (stock image)
Many other councils across Australia have also banned dogs from playgrounds, including North Sydney, Randwick and City of Sydney.
“We must protect children from parasites and diseases that can be transmitted through dog waste,” Sydney City Council says on its website.
“You face a $330 fine if your dog is in a playground.
‘Your dog is welcome in more than 400 of our parks and open spaces.’
Port Phillip Council’s ban on dogs in Melbourne applies within 5 meters of playgrounds.
Playgrounds are also a no-go zone for dogs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.