On Easter Sunday this year, my elderly friend’s beloved fur baby was mauled to death by loose dogs in Wilsonton Heights Park. Dawn is absolutely devastated by the loss of her boy. He was her world, and his death was tragic, traumatising and totally unnecessary. 

 

It wasn’t even the first time Puppa had been attacked at the same park, but by different dogs. Just 5 months before, he was attacked by two loose dogs. Only hiding under a bush saved his life that time. Yet he was still taken to the vet for treatment to his torn ears.

Worse, the woman who owned the dogs quickly bundled them into her car and drove off, after telling an assisting passer-by that she didn’t want to talk to Dawn, despite knowing her dogs had attacked Puppa. Toowoomba Regional Council investigated but Dawn was never informed of an outcome or recompensed.

In January, I wrote to Councillor Tim McMahon, Environment and Community Portfolio Leader, informing him of the attack, that loose dogs are common in the park, and that members of the Wilsonton Heights community are aware of multiple incidents in which residents have been approached, threatened and/or physically attacked by aggressive dogs in the off-leash area.

I also showed that with as little as 300 metres of fencing (less, if they use neighbours’ fences), Council could easily fence a well-shaded section of off leash park (over 5 000 square metres), along the Port Street side, which would include an existing dog & human watering station and bin, as well as a gazebo.

 

 

Cr McMahon never replied. Instead, I received a letter from Parks & Recreation Services, saying that fences were a “major cost item, and Council is mindful of reducing costs where not considered necessary”.

Presumably then, the safety and well-being of our community – our elderly, our children, our furry family members – is not considered necessary.

Most of the park is off-leash (outside the children’s playground, which is fenced), but dogs do not respect boundaries they cannot see, and as one supporter said, an off-leash park without a fence is just the same as any other public park.

What a fabulous cost-cutting strategy for Council, to ‘provide’ off-leash parks, with no more input than a bit of signage. Really getting our rates’ worth there.

The Chronicle were wonderful, and covered Puppa’s story (Friday, April 14, ‘Dog’s throat torn in fatal park mauling’), to the enormous gratitude of Dawn, who has spent years trying tirelessly to be heard about the danger of loose dogs in the park, but Council are shameless!

McMahon said Council are “concerned” about the severity of the attack, that it’s “totally unacceptable in any community for a person or another animal to be attacked by a dog” – yet they do nothing to prevent another attack.

ALL users of the park, both human and canine, should be protected from loose dogs roaming without owners, and the only way to do that is with fencing! 

Most fences are used to keep dogs in, but this fence would keep LOOSE dogs OUT!

If you too are disgusted with Council’s complete disregard for the safety and welfare of our residents and their beloved pets, please sign the petition to have Council fence us a section of park where we can enjoy time with our dogs in a public space without fear of being attacked.

And whether you sign or not, please share this with anyone you know who would be interested in Wilsonton Heights Park becoming a safer place.

Thank you!