Pick up the pace on dog parks
Design of Hobart dog parks needs to step up on fun, environment protection and safety,
ALETTER to the Mercury recently asked, what are the dog park rules?
There are two issues here. Firstly, the behaviour of some dog owners when taking their charges to a dog park; and secondly, the design and planning of dog parks.
In a perfect world, the rules of dog park behaviour should be mostly common sense. Unfortunately, this is sadly lacking in some dog carers.
We should not simply let the dog off its leash once we are inside the gate and let it run off and left to its own devices. While it is good for us to be able to swap doggy stories with other dog carers, we need to be aware of our dog’s activities – particularly its interactions with other dogs and people.
Dogs, like their human carers, come with a range of personality types. Some like to participate in play akin to a rugby scrum, while others prefer their own company and to be left alone to sniff the roses, so to speak!
The fundamental rule is that those of us that take our charges to public places, including designated dog parks, are fully responsible for our dog’s behaviour and must exercise effective control. This means that an off-leash dog must remain in our view, be in close proximity and immediately responsive to our commands.
Requirements listed at the entrances to many dog parks include no young puppies, all dogs to have up to date vaccinations, no on heat bitches and no aggressive dogs. We are also obliged to clean up after our dog. There is plenty of evidence that some carers ignore their responsibilities in this regard.
I visited several dog parks in the ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria. While many had some good aspects, most fell below the standard of the better dog parks in Canada and the US.
Most dog parks in Tasmania are provided by local councils, and a lack of resources may be the reason for some of the shortfalls. In some areas a council has simply put up a fence around a vacant paddock, provided a bin for waste and a tap for water. Definitely the minimalist approach to dog park design!
So, where do we start? Location is the most important consideration. The park must be well away from vulnerable wildlife and reserves, and not next to waterways. Dog faeces and urine are serious pollutants, with nitrogen and other by products leading to algal growth that can starve the water of oxygen.
The other consideration is that dog disease such as canine distemper and parvovirus can affect other species, including seals. If faeces from an infected dog ends up in the river it could affect seals and possibly other wildlife such as dolphins and platypus.
A dog proof fence is clearly a fundamental. Ideally this should be chain-link, about two metres high and reaching right down to the ground. Ideally it should be buried – that’s to cater for the escapologists such as Jack Russell terriers. Strands of fencing wire, particularly barbed wire, are a definite nono. I once had to rescue a foxhound that had caught its leg in a fence while chasing a fox. The dog was in agony and it took several weeks for it to recover.
Access should be with a double gate system, to serve as a dog lock to prevent dogs escaping from the park when arrivals are entering. Because this is an area likely to be subject to lots of wear, the area between the gates should be concrete. There needs to be access for maintenance machinery, such as mowers.
We all know that, given the choice, our dogs will choose the filthiest water they can find to drink. Given the health and safety needs, a clean water supply is required. There are special water fountains available for humans, which have separate bowls at ground level. These can be tipped over to facilitate cleaning.
Ideally a park should have poo bags and bins at every entrance, and these need to be emptied regularly. Other options include composting or generating methane to power lights in the park.
The next consideration is for seating and shelter. Apparently dogs have not been told they are not supposed to jump up onto humans’ seats. This means we have to be careful that the design prevents their feet or tails being trapped between rails. All edges need to be
rounded to avoid injuries if a rambunctious dog runs into it while playing. Shelter may be either natural or artificial.
Some plants must be avoided because of their sharp thorns which could easily blind a dog. The worst is African boxthorn, but English hawthorn should also be avoided. Another risk from vegetation is poisoning, with lilies a particular problem. English ivy is an irritant which may inflame the muzzle of a dog that sniffs it.
Some dog parks incorporate agility equipment. Care needs to be taken in the design, because many dogs may not be used to it and their carers may not be aware of their limitations. All edges must be rounded and balance bars should be relatively wide and close to the ground.
Another possible facility could be a small swimming area, but this must be absolutely secure in order to prevent access by children.
Finally, all dog parks must have signs stating the required behaviour of dogs and their carers. I suggest that contact details for local veterinary practices should be included in case of accidents.
My booklet, “Design, Planning and Management of Off-leash Dog Parks”, has been given to the Local Government Association of Tasmania and this should be available on their website. Bob Holderness-Roddam has studied the behaviour of dog carers and investigated dog park design, planning and management as an associate with the Discipline of Geography and Spatial Sciences, School of Technology, Environments and Design, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Tasmania. These views are his and not necessarily shared by the university.
The rules of dog park behaviour should be mostly common sense. Unfortunately, this is sadly lacking in some dog carers