Public places are for the enjoyment of everyone, and when you take your dog into a public place you must make sure that it odes not interfere with the safety or enjoyment of other people. The Companion Animals Act includes a range of provisions to make sure that exercising your dog is safe and hygienic.

When your dog is out in public, whether walking to the shops or visiting a park, it must be under effective control of a competent person at all times. This means that it must be on lead and under the control of someone who is capable of restraining the dog. Small children, for instance, may not be able to control large dogs and under these circumstances and adult should walk the dog.

It is recognized that dogs benefit greatly from the chance to run freely and for this reason the Companion Animals Act  makes it a duty for councils to provide "OFF LEASH" areas for the exercise of dogs. These areas may only be available for this purpose for limited hours, but ant any time there must be at least one place in each council area where dogs can be exercised without a lead.

If your dog defecates in a public place or on someone else's property, it is YOUR responsibility to remove the faces immediately and dispose of them properly. Councils have a duty to provide bins for the disposal of dog faeces in places where dogs are often exercised, and you should look for these bins as they are introduced in your area.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL FOR FURTHER INFO

BANKSTOWN

As part of the new Companion Animals Act 1998, Bankstown Council has now provided a place for dog owners to exercise their pets in a leash free environment. This designated off-leash area is at the Vale of Ah, Milperra (entry via Auld Avenue).

In this area dogs may be exercised off-leash provided that:

• The dog is under effective control at all times.

• Dog droppings are cleaned up and disposed of in the bins provided.

• All dogs must be leashed on leaving the area.

• The area is not to be used by dangerous or restricted breeds such as Pit Bull Terriers.

CAMDEN

Located at River Road Reserve Elderslie.

FAIRFIELD

Fairfield City Council's has two off leash areas, which are located at Freeman Ave Reserve, Railway Parade Canley Vale and on the Corner of Kembla Street and Townsville Road Wakeley.

What is an ''Off Leash'' area?

An off leash area is a designated public area that permits dog owners to exercise dogs without a leash. These are the only areas where a dog can run free without a lead.

Both off leash areas have seating for the comfort of users, both areas are sign posted and fully fenced.  The areas are also provided with degradable doggie poo bags, a waste bin and a self-filling drinking bowl for dogs.  Both areas were selected for there large open area and availability of car parking and toilet facilities.

It is recognised that dogs benefit greatly from a chance to run freely and socialise with other dogs, this reduces boredom and pent-up energy and reduces barking and other nuisance behaviour.

DOGS EXERCISING AT COUNCIL'S LEASH FREE AREAS MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING

· All dogs using the area must be accompanied and supervised by a competent person

· All dogs using the area must be able to be controlled without a leash, eg: return to handler on command

· Maximum of 4 (four) dogs per person

· OFF LEASH ACTIVITIES WILL BE PERMITTED ONLY A IN DESIGNATED AREA APPROVED BY COUNCIL

· DOGS ARE ONLY PERMITTED IN THE OFF LEASH AREA as indicated on sign POSTS at each off leash area.

· DOGS THAT ARE DECLARED DANGEROUS BY COUNCIL, AGGRESSIVE AND RESTRICTED DOGS INDICATED UNDER THE COMPANION ANIMAL ACT 1998 ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE THE OFF LEASH AREA

· DOG OWNERS/CONTROLLERS MUST REMOVE ALL DOG FAECES THAT MAY BE DEPOSITED BY THE DOG UNDER THEIR CONTROL

· DOGS MUST NOT BE ENCOURAGED TO ATTACK

· DOG OWNERS ARE LIABLE UNDER LEGISLATION IF THE DOG ATTACKS A PERSON OR ANIMAL