Help Friends of Edwardes Lake protect and support Darebin’s wildlife, pets and humans by ensuring the off-leash rules are clear at Edwardes Lake Park

Edwardes Lake supports a rich biodiversity of wildlife including water birds, amphibians, reptiles and marsupials. These animals are vulnerable to attack from off lead dogs and dog owners who do not adequately know how to keep their pets at a safe distance from the local wildlife. 

We need your support to ensure stronger protections for our local wildlife. 

We need your support for protecting the biodiversity of this area. 

We need your help to ensure that pet owners get the support and education they need to help protect wildlife 

We need to help to ensure the harmonious interactions between Darebin’s wildlife, pets and humans.

On Tuesday 25th October 2022 a dog attacked the resident Black Swans, Kevin, Mabel and their clutch of 5 cygnets. Resulting in 2 cygnets dying of their injuries.

Despite reporting the owner's identity to Darebin City Council, enforcement actions have not be taken. The owner and their dog continues to walk around the lake as it lunges at water birds to this date.

On Friday 14th July 2023 at approximately 12.30pm a number of witnesses saw a black small to medium stocky off lead dog rush at the swan couple Kevin and Mabel near the yellow toilet block next to the playground. 

The dog managed to get off hold Mabel (Female Black Swan) with its teeth and continued to bite her until the owner pulled the dog away from her, but the owner again lost control of the dog and it attacked Mabel a second time. The owner managed to gain control of the dog after a period of time.

Mabel was then finally able to get away from the dog, but she only managed to move meters before she fell down on the grass and died shortly after.

The dog owner looks nervously around for anyone who has witnessed the incident and left the park, heading towards the corner or Edwardes and Griffiths Streets.

Mabel has been part of the Friends of Edwardes Lake community since November 2020. She was named by the community, was an excellent mum to all of her cygnets, always made Kevin eat his greens and was loved. 

Her death is tragic and we must now give her a voice and fight for change.

She will be buried at Edwardes Lake and the FoEL volunteers will plant around her burial site to remember the joy she brought to all of us.

We are AGAIN petitioning the City of Darebin to take the following action to prevent the above incident happening in the future;

• Install signage on the footpath and on signposts that clearly stating dogs must be on lead and under control to protect wildlife. Signs should advise of possible fines if laws are not followed
  Install clear signage at the exits of the dog park that are separate to the dog park rules clearly stating dogs must be on lead and under control to protect wildlife. Signs should advise of possible fines if laws are not followed
• Local laws officers to provide educational workshops about responsible pet ownership and provide dog training opportunities at Edwardes Lake Off Leash Dog Park, first workshop to be held before 31 December 2022. As promised in Darebin’s 2022-2025 Domestic Animal Management Plan
• Local laws officers to receive briefing from Parks & Open Space team about damage off leash and uncontrolled dogs can have on biodiversity and ecosystems
• Local laws officers start patrolling Edwardes Lake and Edgars Creek Wetlands at peak dog exercising times to provide education about responsible pet ownership and issue fines if necessary. If current local laws officers do not have capacity another local laws officer position should be created to patrol all waterways and conservation areas in Darebin. (7am - 8am and 5pm - 7pm Monday to Friday During daylight saving hours - 9am to 6pm Weekends During daylight savings hours - 7am to 6pm Weekends - During winter hours)
• Local laws officers to meet with the FoEL committee to build a partnership to ensure biodiversity and ecosystems are being cared for.