Man’s best friend could soon be banned from Mount Gisborne Reserve.
A trial of the Macedon Ranges’ first “no dogs” site at the reserve is proposed in the council’s draft Domestic Animal Plan 2017-2021.
It follows a petition from the Friends of Mount Gisborne Nature Reserve calling for the reserve to be declared as a “no dogs” reserve.
Signed by 58 people, the petition argues that “the presence of dogs even on leads poses a threat to the wellbeing” of the reserve’s native animals.
It identifies Mount Gisborne Reserve as “the only nature conservation zone in the area,” home to “eastern grey kangaroos, black wallabies, koalas, sugar gliders, brush-tailed phascogales, echidnas, blue tongue lizards and copperhead snakes”.
Council adopted the petition at its May meeting.
Community safety acting manager Michael Dyt said the Domestic Animal Plan aimed “to support pet owners, while protecting our natural environment and promoting the health and social benefits of responsible pet ownership”.
The plan also intends to enable pet owners to register their dogs and cat s online by next year.
Mr Dyt encouraged residents to provide feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Plan. Visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/yoursay or a customer service office to comment before Friday, August 4.
