Dog push grows

THE push in Pakenham for an off-leash dog park continues to gain momentum.
Dog owners are lobbying for an area where their pets can run free, saying they need relief from regulations banning unrestrained dogs in public places.
Possible locations of parks will be looked at along with responsible dog ownership and socialisation issues at Cardinia Dog Group meetings on Friday, 27 April, and Friday, 4 May, at the LLINC building in Henry Street between 7.30 and 9 pm.
Pakenham resident Ed Kirby, of the Cardinia Dog Group, said an off-leash park would allow residents to exercise their dogs in a suitable and safe location. “Dogs need an area to run around and just be dogs,” he said.
Mr Kirby said dog owners hoped to work with civic leaders and he was happy to hear the council was already moving on it.
Cardinia’s manager of governance and communications, Doug Evans, said the council was investigating suitable locations.
The council had previously considered an off-leash park some years ago and was conscious that demand had increased since then, he said.
Local laws officers were looking at the issue and would soon report back to council, Mr Evans said.