Should dogs be welcome in Australian national parks?
For most grey nomads travelling with dogs, the regulations that bar them from taking their fur babies into national parks is a huge frustration.
Travellers argue that they can keep their pets under control, and thus the ban is unfair and prevents them from enjoying some of Australia’s most spectacular destinations.
Of course, not all countries take the Australian approach. In Canada, for example, dogs are allowed in national parks if they are accompanied by a person, are kept on a leash no longer than three metres, and are restrained from approaching or harassing wildlife. Some national parks such as Banff and Jasper even provide fenced, off-leash areas.
While some grey nomads may point to Canada’s ‘more enlightened’ approach to travelling with pets as the way forward, they should also be aware that it has caused some issues.
After a Freedom of Information request, CBC News obtained a 63,000-word document which logged visitor grievances reported to Alberta Parks through the department’s official campground feedback form.
It took the province more than two years to release the results from the 2015 spring and summer seasons, citing privacy concerns. But even with all the personal information scrubbed, the candid responses still provide an interesting glimpse into the conditions of a dozen provincially-run campgrounds.
Among the 400-plus campground reviews submitted between May and October 2015, the word ‘dog’ is mentioned 270 times — more than any other keyword. And nearly half of the responses mentioned dogs at least once.
There were many complaints about dog faeces, dogs running loose, dogs being too confined, dogs bullying other dogs, dogs trashing nature, and dogs scaring children.
Andy Rees, district conservation officer with Bow Valley Provincial Park, said dogs are required to be leashed on provincial campgrounds at all times, and owners are responsible for controlling them.
“If your dog is going to be barking all through the night, that’s not going to go well with the other campers,” he said. “You just need to be respectful.”
Other major – and common – complaints about the parks included noisy parties, smelly toilets, not-easily-accessible RV sites, and too many mosquitoes.
Despite all the complaints outlined in the report, Mr Rees said the vast majority of camp users were satisfied with their experience.
“We have 1.8 million camper visits annually,” he said. “With that many people being in the campgrounds we’re going to get complaints.”
I believe they should. As responsible dog owner, I could manage my dogs behavior and would never abuse the privilege of being in a National Park.
Have any of you dog lovers had a dog die a horrible death from 1080
poison.Majority of parks are baited to keep the wild dog,foxes under
control.If you risk taking your into a park please muzzle the dog.
I speak from experience and the bait was picked up on the Nullabor.
Dave
How could your dog have eaten a 1080 bait if it was controlled and on a lead?
Many farms and local councils often use poison baits – so with due care you can walk in these areas. At least you have a choice to enter with your dog.
Yes I think they should be if kept on a leash. Unfortunately though there will always be some people who spoil it by not cleaning up after their dogs or letting them off the leash.
Our dog is smaller than most rabbits in National Parks , is always on a lead when outside and any mess she makes is cleaned up very quickly . However , not all pet owners are the same so we understand the reasoning behind the rules in our NPs . Would love to have access to NPs but don’t see that happening in our lifetime .
Ahhh sadly just a small percentage of dog owners don’t do the right thing and most of travelling dog ppl seem to have smaller dogs. Where as some travellers seem to have more annoying habits than dogs. And I must say that I find dog poo a lot less offensive than human poo on my shoe ! Dogs don’t leave trash dogs don’t play loud music I’d much rather hear a dogs bark than the “F” word during the night and in a national park there are heaps of animal squeaks and squeaks.. Id also rather see a dog than recreational shooters as well …it’s a hard decicion. Perhaps only I should be allowed in to national parks ..oh but that’s right ! Their to damn expensive to go into anyway… and the silliest thing is the stupid bollard parking arrangements dont allow for caravans and motorhomes … they only allow the group that are least likely to be self contained ! Sigh…
How right you are John
I think they should be allowed provided the dog is kept on a 2 metre lead, kept under control at all times and the owners clean up after the dogs as well as themselves ie pick up their poo and take it out with you.
Why not , they are usually cleaner and better behaved than most backpackers.Stevo.
I would very much like to take our very well trained and obedient dog into national parks.
Yes but the dogs should be kept on a short leash at all times for the dogs and everyone else safety. Also the owner should always pick up after their dog.
NO DEFINITELY NOT.
As a dog owner I don’t believe dogs should have access to NPs. Too many owners can not be relied upon to do the right thing and keep their dog on a lead, pick up faeces when others are around let alone in more remote.places we they aren’t being observed. Too many owners of dogs feel they are above basic responsible dog ownership and respect for protected areas.
Keep dogs out. Australian parks have enough damage from domesticated animals.
Our little Toy Poodle Cross fits into my wife’s hand bag.
Her lead goes on before we get out of the vehicle and is never off the lead.
She actually won’t move until it is on.
I think Nstional Parks in Australia chuck out the baby with the bath water on this issue.
Rangers need to operate on this issue by a case by case environment in my opinion.
I’d much rather dogs under control be let into Parks than the W/End Warriors and Backpackers or the shit THEY leave behind !
Dogs can be controlled unlike some of the “Refuse Campers”
i fully agree the weekend warriors and backpackers do not care for the sites they stay i hope they don’t do it at home
No thanks, I don’t think we should have any domestic animals in National Parks. Take a look at campgrounds that allow dogs and you will always see that common sense rules do not apply to some dog owners. Sorry for the dog owners who do the right thing but we must protect our national parks.
Those who advocate for dogs in Aussie nat parks obviously have zero understanding about our unique fauna. We are not Canada.
Most of you with dogs that ive seen and met have zero interest in our fuana and floria, so better you stay out of parks.
As a responsible dog owner It is very fustrating not be able to visit National Parks, and yes we should be allowed.
Yes, I agree. We have a small dog and would often like to do day trips into National Parks, often just to see the view from a lookout. But, unfortunately, we can’t even do that.
It’s been a long standing “Gripe” of mine that dogs are not allowed in N.P’s.We have traveled to the U.S. and the U.K.where dogs are permitted in some parks, certainly the ones we have visited, and are welcomed providing you follow the rules, our daughter has 2 labs in the U.K. and has no problems in parks and gardens (or most Pubs and many cafes).
Ironically, a N.S.W. Nat. Park (I think it’s in N.S.W. but certainly on the East coast), has just enlisted the help of a dog to “sniff out” a variety of noxious weeds ???????????.
Also, it’s possible to obtain a permit for “assistance/guide dogs” to enter parks so why couldn’t a similar system be available for other dogs providing any control specifications are adhered to. Perhaps even a reasonable bond be paid that is forfeited if regulations are not followed.
And perhaps it would be an idea to pass our thoughts onto the N.P.W.S’s. in each state rather than just “chat amongst ourselves”.
Cheers
My wife and I travel with a well trained and obedient German Shepherd wherever we go, however, we are dismayed at the barmy rule of not allowing dogs in National Parks. Yes i totally understand leashing a dog if just to give confidence to other park dwellers that you have your dog under control at all times. We come from Wales in the UK and there are incredible national parks with diverse animal life and dogs are welcome as they are in Europe/America etc. Have we allowed the leftist barmy greens in this country spoil what is really a freedom to choose, in hand with compliance to reasonable considered rules. YES TO DOGS in National Parks!
We have unique fauna in this country that has been anihilated by introduced predators such as cats, foxes, and dogs. There must be some areas where dogs are excluded and native wildlife is protected. People who proclaim to be animal lovers often only mean they are dog and cat lovers. No, sadly, environmentalists do not have much say in this country and our wildlife is paying the price
Given that most National Parks are extremely large areas often many 1000s of sq Kms – and the area devoted to walking tracks and roads is very small percentage – what possible further damage could be done to protect any animal or plant that lives near the track or road. My recent trip to Kangaroo Island is saw roadkill almost every kilometre even in the National Parks and I don’t hear anyone advocating banning road traffic.
We have a small Dachshund and she is part of the family. We would dearly love to take her but presently we don’t visit national parks. Pet owners are very responsible and would certainly respect national parks.
Hi We had Stuffy X was best dog ever always under control and picked up after her , But I belive that some
Owners of dogs just do not
care to do any thing some chase aminals. crap every where and some are aggresive so I belive that the rule is justified as always the creeps wreak it for the honest ones this is also for waste left by these to lazy to pick up Thanks
that they need too also not tame or are aggraisive so I never took our dog into National Parks
I’ve had several conversations with rangers about taking my dog into a NP & the excuse they always seem to come up with is 1080 baits & a barking dog can scare the wildlife. Firstly how a dog could pick up a 1080 bait on a short lead under the owner’s watchful eye when out of a vehicle for a very short time is beyond me. Then on a recent trip to Tassie I was amazed & horrified when I discovered that you can take a Quad bike tour through Freycinet NP. What about the noise scaring the wildlife, the pollution, destruction of habitat? Also when I go walking through a park of any description I like to enjoy the sounds of the bush not the roar of a screaming engine. There are so many double standards when it comes to managing NP’s – many allow horse riding through them but they cull the brumbies, they allow quad bikes but not dogs. In some states recreational hunters have participated in shooting programs to kill foxes, feral goats, cats and pigs but they can’t allow grey nomads to even enter a NP with with a well behaved dog in the vehicle. Ridiculous!!
I would think that dogs would be OK. If not allowed, it will limit a large number of travelers ever visiting National Parks
The main reason we have national parks is to preserve native flora and fauna, if we introduce non native species to these areas we are no better than Captain cook and his British colonising ways introducing sheep, rabbits, cats and cane toads that are destroying our environment.
Newbie Here!! My understanding of the Restrictions on Dogs/Cats in National Parks, however they might be contained/restrained or cleaned up after, are based on the fact that Domestic Pets can introduce Diseases that threaten Wildlife, although our Pets are wormed, Vac’d & Parasite treated. I’d Welcome any FACTUAL information on this as I’m planning to travel this year with my Dogs & would LOVE to include NP’s but not if we’re a danger!! There are ways around – ie find Dog Sit in town etc. Thanks for any Comments
If a dog could introduce any diseases into a National park, then what happens in areas that border a National Park. Oh, I see, the diseases stay in the bush land/farmland adjacent to the NP and native animals never move out from a nation park into the local community. The disease argument is so false it’s ridiculous.
No. Definately not…what about the smell of your dogs “parcels” and urine. This alone is enough to scare off our wildlife. No more possums walking passed your campsite. No more wallabies or kangaroos nearby. No more goannas coming close. No more birds landing on the ground in front of your campsite, because the dog barks at them…a dog’s duty is to bark because it his territory.Nothing wrong with the dog, he’s just doing what is natural for him. The owners cannot control the bark, the “parcel” smell and the urine smell, no matter how diligent they are. The obvious answer is ” no domestic animals in national parks, including cats….for the same”smelly” reasons.
Your comment about cats is a little “off”. We have a cat who uses the kitty litter in the van, is trained to use the lead and is only outside with us on a rope that contains her to the extent of the canopy. She sits and watches the birds, the wallabies etc. and I am sure would try to catch them if free, but she is not. She has encountered much wildlife in her 18 months of travelling, from native hens, rabbits, Tasmanian devils, wallabies and kangaroos, domestic chooks, fairy penguins and a multitude of bird life and never got near to catching one. Her presence or “smell” did not deter any of the above coming close to our van but they did keep out of her range. Responsible pet owners are being victimized. If there are uncontrolled pets roaming surely a word to the ranger would sort out the problem very quickly
So you’ve never come across a human poop in the bush, just off a track? If you gotta go you gotta go and unfortunately some humans don’t bury or carry out their business. The animals must love that smell. Also on the smell of dogs, I’m sure native animals must love human scent, seeing as though we hunted animals like kangaroos, seals, possums etc for around 200 years by white people and 20,000 or more years by indigenous people. I think we can safely say native animals do not like human contact.
Here is what should be. Dogs should be allowed in all national parks, but they must be,
* Registered with your local council, microchiped
* Registered with Parks and Wildlife small yearly fee
* De-sexed
* On a leash size specified
* temperment tested
* waste bags always carried
So simple, if an area has to be left for any reason restrict both dogs and humans. I have seen maybe i or two pets in a park over my time but hundreds of ferals dogs and cats. Atleast the pet is restrained. I love traveling my country and i love my dog. Time to stop putting unjust limits on everything and allow us to live and enjoy Australia.
It won’t work. You are relying on people doing the right thing.
I understand what you have said Angela but is this a free country is it not? People who do the wrong thing should be slammed and no longer allowed in national parks anywhere in Australia if they do the wrong thing plus large fines like what Queensland has for mobile phone operation in a car is now $1000.00 almost no one is using in vehicles now. You still will get the idiot’s who think they are above the law and they ruin it. Controlled dogs are far more less likely to run a muck than the average human. If dogs are so bad humans shouldn’t be allowed in to national parks either as they are worse.
Yes it’s not the dogs that are the problem, it’s the owners!
clealry not even humans using National Parks always do the right thing, like dump cars, steal plants and animals from National parks, deface artworks etc.
Yes, providing they are on a leash and the owner’s clean up after them and are aware of other visitors.
It’s sad that some responses in the comments section here accept that we can’t have nice things because of the disobedient minority who wreck it for the rest of us if we WERE allowed to have dogs in national parks. Let’s be real here: disobedient people are ALREADY doing these things from lighting fires during fire bans, behaving badly in camp sites, entering areas that are restricted, fishing where they aren’t allowed and graffiting stone caves.
Encouraging people and empowering them to act responsibly is the way forward. Tell people areas are baited and to muzzle their dogs. Better yet only bait areas that are well off any trail or camp site and inform owners to keep dogs on leashes. Ask them to pick up poop and keep them under control. Then just pay more rangers to keep an eye out for idiots who deliberately flaunt the rules.
We are all for the rules to change to allow doggies in NPs, because we are more than happy to keep our boy with us and enjoying nature as much as we do!
I agree with this 100 % it’s so much common sense. Maybe National Parks have a political reason to justify there existence.
I am in two minds. I believe I am a very responsible dog owner, but I know of others who say they are but wouldn’t bend down to pick up a poop. There has to be a compromise as our national parks are for all to enjoy. More funding for national parks is needed to accommodate situations like this. We can spend millions on making wealthy foreshore parks dog friendly so it could be done for our national parks. It’s funny that I am allowed to drive through tracks in some national parks after heavy rain with a 4WD and damage the road causing/equating to hundreds of years of erosion but I can’t sit down with my dogs on a leash and have a cuppa enjoying the scenic views of “our” national parks. There are some parks which would get a definite no by me and others should be accommodating. And there are some areas which should even be locked up entirely.
No way. Keep dogs and cats out of natios
No way. Keep humans and cars out of natios.
Your case is baseless
We are so far behind in many things and this is one of them. My dog is very well behaved on and off leash. But she stays on her leash when we are out on walks and in crowds.
Yes I do
Absolutely. As long as they are on a leash and under effective control. Our dog is highly trained and obedient. He is a therapy dog and loved by all.
Yes. Absolutely
Yes I think dog can go with national parks due to responsible owns taking care of the dog. Keeping the dog on a short leash and picking up after the dog. If people do not control the dog, hand the person a steep fine so it will make the person think twice about controlling the dog. The dog is part of the family and do anything to keep the dog safe. Would not allow the dog to run free on their holidays.
yes definitely ! Dogs on leash should be allowed . The argument they will disturb wildlife is ridiculous as we do have native canine ( Dingos ) who roam wild