$4500 damage to turf

An upset Drouin Cricket Club is looking at a bill of more than $4500 to replace covers for the turf wicket area at the Bellbird Park oval after irreparable damage caused by dogs.

Dogs have also damaged the pitch surface when it has been watered and left uncovered.

A recent match had to be transferred from Bellbird Park to another ground as a result but the issue has been a problem for the club since the turf wicket was installed several years ago.

President Michael Caddy has asked for dog owners to be more respectful for the pitch.

He said the club and volunteers spent more than 20 hours a week maintaining the turf wicket and preparing it for games.

Much of the damage has resulted from dog owners throwing things such as balls and frisbees for their dogs to chase.

Often when that happens the dogs slide across the covers or pitch damaging them with their paws or toenails.

In the most recent damage rips and holes left in the covers could not be repaired.

What is particularly galling for the club is that Baw Baw Shire council has installed signs around the boundary fence advising that dogs are not permitted on the oval and that there is a council authorised “off leash” areas for dogs only 200 metres away as well as walking tracks in adjoining parkland.

Mr Caddy said the cricket club members would now heavily police the oval and turf wicket, initially asking people not to let their dogs on the oval but, if necessary, seek to identify owners with a view to seeking financial compensation for the damage.

He pointed out that maintaining a turf cricket pitch was a major financial commitment by the club.

As well as the voluntary hours and the cost of pitch covers the club has invested heavily in machinery such as a mower and roller.

Mr Caddy pointed out the figure was in the tens of thousand of dollars, money that came from the club’s fundraising and some sports grants.

He pleaded with dog owners “to do the right thing” and use the designated pet areas provided by the shire.