Dogs and Open Spaces
Providing suitable on and off-leash activity areas is vital to the success of animal management in our Council area. Dog owners must have suitable areas to exercise their dogs safely. Equally, other members of the community must have the ability to use open space and recreation amenities without the fear of harassment by uncontrolled dogs, or their enjoyment of an area be impacted on by dog faeces and other nuisances.
Council has developed an Open Space Management Plan to provide suitable areas for use by dog owners to exercise their pets, throughout the district, taking into account the needs and safety of other users of parks and facilities and environmental factors.
The aim of this plan is to recognise that animals are part of the community, contributing to our quality of life, and to ensure that the needs of animals and their owners are accommodated while recognising the differing needs of non animal owners of the community.
Where can I exercise my dog?
With changes to legislation dogs are now required to be on leash on all roads, streets and footways, whilst in parks, dogs are not required to be leashed provided they are under effective control of their owner unless indicated by signs.
Council has defined "dog friendly parks" where owners can exercise their dogs unleashed, however please note that some reserves may have restricted times that you can exercise your dog off the leash to ensure the needs of other users of ovals and reserves are met. These restrictions can include:
- Dogs allowed to be exercised off leash at an oval when there are no sports being played, however must be on a leash when sports are being played; or
- Dogs being allowed off leash at certain reserves when there is no-one else in the reserve, however if a family set up to have a BBQ or picnic, then dogs must be kept on a leash; or
- There may be certain sections within a reserve that dogs can be off leash and other areas where dogs are restricted.
As some of the areas have restricted times that dogs can be exercised off leash, Council will be installing signage at each of Council's parks and reserves to advise park users of:
- the specific dog access provisions that apply for that park or reserve
- any restrictions that apply
- hours of operation of specific access provisions
Signage is to also outline a dog owner's responsibilities in relation to:
- Picking-up after their dog
- Keeping a dog under effective control
What does it mean 'Under Effective Control'
Some reserves, parks, ovals and open space areas have been defined as dog exercise areas and dogs may be exercised off-leash at these reserves, however within these areas, dogs must be under effective control at all times by means of a leash (not more than two metres in length) or being under effective command, within close proximity and within eyesight at all times.
What do I do if I am harassed or attacked, how do I lodge a Complaint?
Individual complaints will be investigated on a case by case basis, however members of the public have the ability to contact Council (via phone, letter, email, or via Council's website) to report dog issues or concerns in open space areas.
If you are a victim of a dog attack, please report the incident to Council immediately by phone 8408 0400 (all hours). Details including the date, time and location of attack as well as a description of the offending dog/owner will be required in order to investigate further. Please keep copies of any medical assistance required as a result of the attack and Council Officers may in some instances take photographic evidence.
For all other incidents you can can contact a Council ranger by email at mail@ahc.sa.gov.au or by phone 8408 0400 (all hours). Upon reporting to Council, the incident will be investigated thoroughly by a Council Officer. Details including the date, time and location of the incident as well as a description of the offending dog/owner will be required in order to investigate further.
Areas where dogs can be exercised off the leash include: (Download Print Version Here)
Click on the suburb below to go straight to the parks and reserves in that area or just browse down through all suburbs.
Aldgate, Ashton, Balhannah, Birdwood, Bradbury, Bridgewater, Crafers, Crafers West, Gumeracha, Heathfield, Lobethal, Montacute, Mylor, Norton Summit, Oakbank, Piccadilly, Scott Creek, Stirling,Summertown,Tereingie, Woodforde, Woodside
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Beavis Court Reserve, Beavis Court, Gumeracha |
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Scott Creek Oval, Scott Creek Road Scott Creek (restrictions apply) |
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Anya Reserve, Anya Crescent, Summertown (restrictions apply) |
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Provide us with Feedback
The Open Space Animal Management Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis, for the first two years, in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure the plan is relevant and continues to meet trends and to ensure the most appropriate management strategies are in place for each reserve.
Adelaide Hills Council will monitor and review the number and type of complaints and feedback received regarding animal control in our public reserves, parks, ovals and open space area, in order to identify any trends and to ensure the most appropriate management strategies are in place for our reserves.
If you would like to provide feedback and/or comment in relation to the plan, or any specific reserve or issue you may have please email us at mail@ahc.sa.gov.au or write to us at PO Box 44, Woodside SA 5244.
