Dog days for reserve

By EMMA SUN
A BELGRAVE South resident has been baffled by a Yarra Ranges Council sign that said dogs were not permitted on the Belgrave South Recreation Reserve.
John Walsh, who takes his four-year-old border collie Denny for walks at the reserve, said he wasn’t sure why the council put the “no dogs on oval” sign on the gate enclosing the oval.
But Yarra Ranges Council spokeswoman Tracey Varley said it the sign was typical across most sporting fields and aimed to protect the condition of the grounds for people that use it for sport.
Mr Walsh said he and other locals often walked their dogs on the oval and has never seen any damage being done to the grounds.
“The sign astounds me,” he said.
“It’s usually pretty good up there and the people I know who walk their dogs there always pick up after their dogs.”
Mr Walsh pointed out that his dog would never dig holes in the ground and only ever chases the ball he throws across the oval when they are there.
“The council should make their intentions clearer,” he said.
“But I think the biggest problem isn’t the dog’s droppings – it’s the tapes and bandages the football players drop on it, which is worse.”
Ms Varley said there are other areas people can walk their dogs and encouraged people with pets to try using other places.
“There are plenty of off lead areas in the shire so there are other options.”