No ban over pooch poop
TOWNSVILLE City Council has confirmed it would not ban dogs from The Strand after residents raised concerns about having to dodge “poo landmines” while walking on the popular tourist strip.
Townsville man Ian Bragg sparked debate in a letter to the editor in the Townsville Bulletin in which he complained about dogs urinating on trees and posts and the abundance of dog poo on the grassed areas.
He took aim at owners for failing to pick up the poo.
“I have seen dog faeces all over the lovely timber walkway ... it’s sickening, it’s filthy and tourists must love seeing this,” he said.
That led to a flurry of emails and text messages in support of his position including one which warned the boardwalk at Jezzine was a “dog faeces minefield”.
A council spokesman said it did not have any plans to ban dogs from The Strand.
“We understand the importance of getting outdoors and active, and for many residents walking their dogs is a great way to enjoy Townsville’s great open spaces,” he said. “Council has made a significant investment in creating public spaces that are more dog- friendly, including 20 specific off- leash areas across the city, and providing drinking stations and free dog waste bags in our main recreational areas and we encourage pet owners to make use of those facilities.
“There are no parks where dogs are banned as long as they are on a lead. However, dogs are not permitted on The Strand beach at any time.
“We encourage residents to continue enjoying our parks and beaches with their dogs but to be mindful of their responsibility as a pet owner to clean up after their pets.”
City resident Vanessa Kennedy walks her dog Tigger at The Strand daily, and said the decision to ban dogs from the space would have been the wrong solution.
“It would be horrible for Townsville if they did that; it would definitely make Townsville a less attractive place to live,” she said.
“For the number of people that get out and are active and enjoy The Strand because of ( dogs), that would be awful.”