Grey nomads and other campers are being warned not to approach any unattended dogs in national parks after two animals caused serious alarm in New South Wales.
A traveller from Victoria, Boyce Felstead, took this picture of two unattended dogs at Gillards Beach inside Mimosa Rocks National Park … and he said they were quite menacing
“People at the beach said they had seen dogs eating a wallaby they had killed,” Mr Felstead told the Narooma News. “One person was walking around with a tomahawk to feel safe.”
Mr Felstead said he was so shaken by the experience, he left the camping ground and headed north.
He told the newspaper the dogs had no collar and appeared to possibly be restricted breeds in NSW.
“They looked like mixed breed hunting dogs used to hunt pigs,” Mr Felstead said. “To me it’s a significant safety issue, particularly for children.”
He said when he had contacted the NPWS, he was told there had been another report earlier in the day from the same beach.
The NPWS said sightings of unattended domestic dogs, which are not permitted in national parks, and wild dogs within parks are ‘very rare’.
“If people come across a domestic or wild dog, safety is the first priority,” said an NPWS spokesperson. “Park visitors should not approach the dog but move away.”
If an unattended dog is found in a park, NPWS works with council rangers to determine if the dog can be caught, impounded and to identify the owner.
“Penalties apply for taking dogs and other domestic animals into a national park – the maximum penalty is $3300 for an individual,” said a spokesperson. “NPWS control wild dogs on the national parks estate by baiting, trapping and/or shooting to minimise the impact they have on park neighbours and native plants and animals.”
• Have you seen unattended dogs in a national a park? Comment below
Dogs are banned in national parks, yet people brag they snuck their dog in as if it was a great achievement. There should be huge fines for anyone caught ($1000+) and seize their viechle.
Couldn’t agree more. Well said!
I don’t own a dog but there’s a great difference between hunting dogs and a Grey Nomads friendly furry companion . These people have paid taxes all there life which has helped maintain National Parks and should be able to enjoy them .
Maybe not camp over night but to take a stroll with their companion on a leash. I have found Grey Nomads that own dogs to be very responsible . Time National parks changed .
Now that we’re retired we are unable to make use of the Parks we helped maintain with our taxes . We should be able to visit these places as long as our dogs are on a leash and we’ll controlled.
Totally agree. I did sneak my 17 yr old blind deaf poodle into a national park once, on a lead, and was yelled at by an elderly man, so I left pronto. This dog used to let the cockatiels walk all over him and preen him. It was so sad for me, not to be able to sit quietly with my little boy. But rules are rules and you know how totally IRRESPONSIBLE older people are.