Council to enforce $200 fine for dogs near playground as locals blast 'stupid rule'
People in the seaside Melbourne suburb are divided over a new council rule that could see locals fined $200 – as authorities warn it is now being enforced.
Locals are divided over a new council rule strictly preventing dog owners from bringing the animals within 10 metres of all public children's playgrounds, with some branding the new system "a disgrace", while others praised it.
Melburnians living in the seaside suburb of Frankston, in the city's southeast, must not bring their dogs within 10 metres of any kids' playgrounds or they will face a $200 fine. Though the system was introduced in 2022, new signage has been installed around public parks and one local councillor has warned residents the changes are now being formally enforced.
Independent Cr Kris Bolam at Frankston City Council issued a public statement in which he claimed the change "represented the concerns of a number of passionate residents" — though, in response, dozens hit back and branded it just another "stupid rule".
Councillor claims new dog rule is in response to resident concern
"I was recently contacted by a resident about the implementation of a new rule for all playgrounds throughout Frankston," Bolam said. "The rule requires dogs not to be within 10 metres of all playground areas. This was something I successfully implemented in 2022," he said, adding that "anecdotally" he heard about one resident who had a "horrible experience" with a dog near a kids' park.
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"Her granddaughter [was] attacked by an off-leash dog. While the little girl thankfully escaped only with a few scratches, the experience had a profound impact on the resident.
"By-laws staff have now transitioned from the education phase to the enforcement phase relating to these new rules. In turn, by-laws officers will increase patrols of areas with recorded non-compliance to ensure greater compliance."
These changes, Bolam claimed, "are not about revenue-raising or the nanny state" rather, they are about "the safety and wellbeing of our most vulnerable — children". "Of all places, we expect children to be the safest at our public playgrounds," he said.
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In response, almost 200 locals weighed in on social media, seemingly divided down the middle.
"This is a disgrace that families can no longer take their dogs for a walk to the park with their kids. Too many stupid unlawful rules you and other councillors are making," a woman said.
"I don't get how this solves the dog problem," a man queried. "Dogs were already not allowed off-leash. This is just another rule for irresponsible owners to ignore whilst punishing families that try to do the right thing."
"Well there goes family walks to the park with your dog. Most people do the right thing and once again a minority or irresponsible dog owners wreck it for others. Also good luck monitoring it, can’t even monitor the non-smoking areas in Frankston," said another woman.
Many others cited the fact the rule would inconvenience families dually walking their dogs and taking their children to play, though others disagreed.
"This is absolutely right. Dogs should be no where near playgrounds. A pet does not trump the right of a child to be happy and have fun with out having to worry about someone's dog running up to them or sh**ting in the play area," one person said.
"This is great. We were at Overport [Park] last weekend and had a near miss with an off-leash dog we were walking past in the car park," said another.
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