Dogs soon to be banned from sporting fields

Dogs will soon be banned from at least three sporting fields in Parkes, with the possibility of more added to the list. Parkes Sports Council has appealed to Parkes Shire Council to close its sporting fields to dogs, for the health, safety and dignity of athletes, after owners continue to ignore the rules to clean up after their dogs. It's an issue Cr Bill Jayet said that's been ongoing for many years. Sports council chairperson Al Gersbach addressed Council's ordinary monthly meeting in May during the public forum session, requesting the ban at three sporting grounds in particular - Harrison Park and its Parker-Stone Field, Cheney Oval and Woodward Oval. His reason: These are where most juniors play and train. Mr Gersbach said the issue of dogs on fields is raised at almost every sports council meeting. "The reason for that is because of the mess they do leave and unfortunately we have people who handle their dogs don't clean up after them," he said. "What we really look at is the health and safety of our junior sportspeople, we have nearly 5000 sportspeople in Parkes. "It's unfortunate our volunteers, which all of them are, have to go around each day they play sport to pick up dog droppings. "If they miss one... some poor kid is going to come along and have to either run through it, dive on it, roll in it and it's not a nice thing or impression you want to leave on a sporting field." Mr Gersbach said everyday you see dogs running around at every park, some on a leash, some not, and that most people do the right thing. "It's the dogs that aren't on a leash that's become a problem," he said. "At the moment there are signs up but I feel, and a lot of other people on the sports council feel, they aren't sufficient for what they're there for." The sports council also believe ranger inspections haven't been taking place. "Our recommendation from the sports council, we'd like to see some grounds closed to dogs," Mr Gersbach proposed. There are some issues at other grounds, Mr Gersbach added, but he acknowledged taking "small steps" to combat the problem might be the best option for the time being. Cr Louise O'Leary understood the issue involved a limited number of people but wondered whether it was worth including the sporting grounds in the shire's villages too. "Having been to several of those meetings and listened to the frustration from the sporting volunteers about cleaning up, I do understand the impacts that that has on them," she said. "I do know there's a bit of an issue at Peak Hill, I'm not sure about Trundle or Tullamore." On-the-spot fines were also suggested. "Most people are actually quite genuine and do use dog bags," Cr O'Leary said. "We have tried as Council to put it out there on social media, we've done information handouts. "We don't want to fine people but we have a genuine consensus that this is the only way this is going to stop. "There needs to be a strong plan forward... because at the moment nothing's literally worked." Cr Jayet said this is a big wake-up call to people in the shire. "You've only got to look at our dog park where dog bags are provided... I can remember one day I picked up 21 - I stopped counting after I picked up 21," he said. "I think by making this a way of stopping these particular dog owners... I support your proposal," he told Mr Gersbach. "People don't seem to care. "As far as having rangers go and police areas I just don't see how that will work because you can't have rangers there 24 hours a day." Cr Jayet said at the 20 May meeting that he would have liked to have seen a decision made that day. Councillors agreed to investigate the feasibility and requirements of closing sporting fields to dogs, suggested by corporate services director Anthony McGrath, with a report to come back to the Parkes Sports Council and Council. "Because there will be some signage costs and other things we have to make sure we consider properly," Mr McGrath said. "Introduce it later on at a future meeting where we properly consider all the issues." Peak Hill's Lindner Oval was suggested to be included in the ban against dogs.