And with these words Cr Bill Jayet put forward a ‘Matter of Urgency’ to address a dog park idea at Parkes Shire Council’s meeting on November 15. 

He called for an update on the further development of an off-leash dog area opposite Memorial Hill and proposed that Kelly Reserve was a more appropriate site.

Cr Jayet is among the latest dog owners in Parkes whose dogs have been savagely attacked by wondering dogs while out on a walk.

In a new report from the Office of Local Government, a total of nine dog attack incidents were reported to council between January 1 to March 31.

These incidents included three people getting attacked (in a less serious attack) and 11 attacks on animals.

“I am absolutely surprised at the number of people who have come up to me to tell me they've stopped walking their dogs because of the dog attacks," Cr Bill Jayet said at the meeting.

“Or that they arm themselves with wood and pieces of metal. Now I think that's really not the right thing to be happening in Parkes.”

He told the meeting he was aware council had previously discussed a suggestion from a dog owner about the possibility of establishing an off-leash area at Kelly Reserve – initially raised by Cr Ken McGrath, which may have been discontinued.

“I’d like council to re-visit this suggestion which if established would prove to be an added feature of the Kelly Reserve precinct,” he said.

“I fully support Cr Ken McGrath...It would enhance Kelly Reserve…[and] It’s very accessible to people travelling through Parkes.

“It’s a family friendly area – this part (of Kelly Reserve) doesn’t get used.”

Cr Jayet described the area at Memorial Hill as “really undulating” and “okay if you’re young and fit”.

“You can’t put it at Memorial Hill, you’ll have to put in a car park because there’s no where to park,” he said.

Cr McGrath agreed, saying he’d been on this topic for a long time and of the people he’s spoken too, they all want a dog park.

Council’s director of planning and environment Steve Campbell said the idea had merit.

In his report, tabled at the meeting, he said the topic of off-leash areas and a dog park was raised at council’s May 17 meeting, where it was decided that the off-leash area remains at Spicer Park and that it would be the preferred site for the construction of any future dog park.

“If council wished to re-visit construction of a fenced dog park at Kelly Reserve, it should be considered as part of a masterplan for the area,” Mr Campbell said. 

“We just have to make sure it’s in the right spot and fits in with all other things in the park.”

Cr Alan Ward asked if council should look at all areas.

“I don’t think money is the huge issue here,” he said.

Councillors agreed for a masterplan investigation – with an estimated cost of $5000 – be undertaken for Kelly Reserve and include an investigation of a fenced dog park area.

Two residents, Heather Sherriff and Val Boyd, are among those who strongly support the call for a dog park in Parkes. Heather said she has literally seen dogs ripped to pieces during attacks.

“There are so many attacks in town,” she said.

Her dog was badly attacked three or four years ago, where her pet suffered horrific injuries but luckily survived.

“It was thanks to a passing motorist, he stopped, pulled the dog off and threw it into his car,” Heather said.

Val said she visited a dog park in Brisbane five years ago and suggested to council something similar be built in Parkes.

“But nothing was done,” she said. “12 months later I mentioned it again to Cr Kenny McGrath.”