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 at approximately 4.55pm Kate Jost the president of Friends of Edwardes Lake (FoEL) was walking south along the path at Edwardes Lake from Griffiths Street, Reservoir near the picnic area towards friends garden bed to host the weekly weeding task when she witnessed a dog attack the resident Black Swans, Kevin, Mabel and their clutch of 5 cygnets.

The Black Swan family was grazing on the grass near the weir, a dog (German Shorthaired Pointer) and its owner were walking along the path when the dog noticed the swans.

The dog lunged at Kevin (male Black Swan) and pulled out some of his feathers. Kevin defended himself and his family by flapping his wings and peaking at the dog, the owner managed to pull the dog back but it lunged again and pulled the owner into the water’s edge attacking two of the cygnets this time. It was very clear that the owner had no control of the dog.

Kate managed to get herself between the dog and swans so the owner could gain control and get the owner to remove himself and the dog away from the swan family. The owner of the dog was distressed and stated that he had no control over his pet. The swan family was extremely distressed, Kevin had missing feathers, 1 cygnet was in shock and unable to swim and another cygnet looked like it had been crushed on its head and neck as it was covered in saliva and wasn’t moving much. 

Kate, a qualified wildlife rescuer took the 2 physically injured cygnets to a local wildlife carer for medical treatment and care. One of the cygnets died 16 hours later in care from suspected internal injuries. The other cygnet appeared to be physically well after overnight care and was reunited with its family. When the cygnet was released Kevin and Mabel greeted it with joyful trumpeting calls as they swam off together. The reunited cygnet was not seen with its family hours later, but FoEL volunteers will continue to monitor the beloved family and hope that the 4th cygnet makes an appearance again.

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

• City of Darebin to remove off-leash dog area between the athletics track and path now that the new fenced off-leash dog park is open
  City of Darebin to update council website with up-to-date information about the Edwardes Lake Dog Park including rules about dogs be on lead and under control at all times when outside of the fenced off-leash park
• City of Darebin to update community directory with updated information that all dogs must be on lead and under control within the park at all times unless within the off-leash dog park
• City of Darebin to request Melbourne Playgrounds to remove youtube video about off-leash dog area behind the athletics track
• City of Darebin to request Melbourne Playgrounds to update information on their website that all dogs must be on lead and under control within the park at all times unless within the off-leash dog park
• City of Darebin to request Only Melbourne to update information on their website that all dogs must be on lead and under control within the park at all times unless within the off-leash dog park
• City of Darebin to request Take the Dog to update information on their website that all dogs must be on lead and under control within the park at all times unless within the off-leash dog park
• 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.
   

We ask this petition be accepted and action taken to protect and support everybody, Darebin’s wildlife, pets and humans.