“All these people will be able to give them a qualified opinion on providing a safe environment for the dogs and owners to use,” trainer Gail Bartley said.

She has commended Parkes Shire Council for looking into a dog park but hopes that it is not pushed under the carpet.

“Council needs to seriously start listening to the community, and one of the biggest things the community has been crying out for is a safe area for people to take their dogs to,” she said.

Ms Bartley believes a dog park is essential to the town but added that constructing it is not a quick fix.

“You can’t just fence off an area and say, there’s your dog park, see you later,” she said.

“There are particular elements that need to be included - like enrichment things, water, shade, etc and an enclosed area to segregate small dogs from the larger ones.”

Ms Bartley said it is important to remember you can’t put a dog in a dog park that is not socialised.

She also says dog owners need to be educated on how to train them in regards to what is and is not acceptable without hurting the dog

“The most important thing is to educate dog owners - dogs just do what is natural to them.

“When something goes wrong, it’s not the dogs fault, it’s the owners from lack of training and understanding.

“Dogs do not see they are doing something wrong, unless they are advised otherwise.

“Dogs need to be trained and socialised. If they are not you run the risk of what happens when owners walk their dogs in the street happening to them in the dog park.”

Ms Bartley believes the current official off-leash area behind Spicer Caravan Park is unsuitable because it is unfenced and the type of grass in the area.