Dog attacks lead to caution

Residents say some beaches are increasingly off-limits for walking dogs because of other out-of-control animals and belligerent owners, while at the same time a pending review of dog exercise areas across the shire could limit their options even further. The concerns also come as the latest dog attack figures, provided by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, show rangers are dealing with serious incidents every month. Dog attacks were on par with 2020, with three recorded incidents last month and a spike of six attacks in July. Rangers co-ordinator Narelle Graue said the Shire was moving towards a desired aim of “zero attacks” in the region. “Owners of dogs involved in dog attacks almost always have the same stories — that their dog is usually friendly, they didn’t think their dog would attack, that they were caught by surprise, etc.,” she said. “Dogs — as much as we love them — are animals. They have a pack mentality which drives them to seek a hierarchical structure where there’s sometimes a battle to be most dominant.” In recent weeks, residents taking part in a survey ahead of a potential major clampdown on exercise areas along the coast have bemoaned the shrinking number of safe areas to walk dogs off-lead — mostly caused by concerns about other dogs. Beach users online warned other residents in Gracetown and Cowaramup about “vicious attacks” in nearby coastal areas. “(That included) one today that resorted to physical violence from the owner of the attacking dog against the owner of the dog being attacked,” resident Lucas Englert said. “Please try and identify/photograph any dogs wandering unrestrained in Gracetown to the Shire ranger — and a reminder that the swimmers beach is a dog-free zone.” Responding to those concerns, other beachgoers reported their own close encounters with allegedly out-of-control dogs as well as belligerence from owners. “Decided to go to Gracetown dog beach for first time in months on the morning of Friday (October) 8 (and) a boxer cross-looking dog attacked my border collie that was on a lead next to me in the carpark,” Kate David said. “Lucky my children were on other side of the car. “I was verbally abused because I suggested the dog shouldn’t be off-lead if it attacks and doesn’t have good recall.” Resident Louise Greenwood said it was important beachgoers called rangers for help and filmed any incidents. “Sadly I don’t go there (Gracetown) any more due to aggressive and unrestrained dogs and owners,” she said. “Action needs to be taken.” Ms Graue said dog owners had to be alert even when dogs seemed playful and consider the effects on other dog owners. “We have seen situations where dogs have been killed, dogs have faced expensive surgery and ongoing treatment, and owners or bystanders have needed medical treatment trying to break up fights, and situations where the attack is directly to a person,” she said. “We see far too many situations where the attacked dog is on a lead and the attacking dog is off lead.” Owners should also consider professional training, rangers said. Rangers also urged all owners of unregistered dogs to immediately comply with the deadline which passed on November 1.