Dog fix fails sniff test

A push to immediately ban dogs from an Emu Point beach was denied at this week’s City of Albany council meeting with councillors voting to explore four strategies to manage the controversial dog exercise area. A petition signed by 300 ratepayers tabled at last month’s council meeting called on council to reverse a decision to designate the 80m Emu Point Western Swimming Beach section of beach as a dog exercise area. Councillor Ray Hammond presented an alternate motion on Tuesday night to ban dogs at the beach altogether. Cr Hammond urged the council to consider the “undeniable adverse environmental” and health impacts of keeping the area open to dog owners. “What a dog’s breakfast this has turned out to be,” he said. “It’s not about exercising dogs, it is about exercising common sense.” After voting down the motion, council backed an officer recommendation to acknowledge the petition and ask staff to review four management strategies. A report is expected to come to council by next month’s meeting. Strategies included designating the beach as an on-leash area, installing a barrier fence between the dog exercise area, banning dogs, or restricting use based on seasons or times. Deputy Mayor Greg Stocks urged staff to consult the public before making a decision. “Three hundred signatures on a petition is significant but it shouldn’t be a catalyst for action, it should be a catalyst for the next step,” he said. “Our job is to listen to everybody, not just the noisy majority.” From the public gallery, Friends of Emu Point’s Kevin Shanhun called on council to consider the group’s health, safety and environmental concerns.