On 25 August 2020, Northern Beaches Council provided a response to Councillor Vincent De Luca’s question on notice regarding dog attacks in the Northern Beaches local government area and Council’s response.
146 dog attacks were reported between 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 to the NSW Office of Local Government, comprising 58 between 1 January and 31 March and 88 between 1 April and 30 June. This equates to a 51% increase!
The report also noted that over the six-month period 606 complaints of dogs off leash in prohibited areas were received. These resulted in 98 penalty notices being issued for dogs being off leash in prohibited area. 45 complaints were also received by Council of dogs defecating and their owners failing to pick up the faeces.
Rangers and Animal Management Officers are employed by Council seven days a week between 6.00am and 8.00pm. Council also has an after-hours service where any reported dog attacks are treated with a priority response.
It is likely that not all attacks and non-compliance issues are reported to Council. We encourage everyone to contact the Northern Beaches Council and report any current off-leash compliance breaches anywhere along the Northern Beaches.
For Station Beach, dogs on-leash are not permitted outside the hours of 4.00pm to 10.30am, Monday to Sunday (AEST non-day light saving time) and 5.30pm to 10.30am, Monday to Friday (AEST daylight saving time).
Northern Beaches Council contact details: 1300 434 434 (daytime and after-hours, including weekends) or email council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.