A group who have rescued and adopted greyhounds no longer wanted for racing have been locked out of a sports field they have been allowed to use for years.
Bonnet Bay Baseball Club allowed the Hobbit Hounds to use their home ground, the Tom Evans Field, for an hour on Sunday mornings to let muzzled greyhounds run unleashed.
However, following complaints from residents, Sutherland Shire Council rangers started patrolling and issuing fines.
Owner Matthew Bell said there was now nowhere in the shire where greyhounds could run free.
He rejected the council’s statement that the greyhounds could be exercised in off-leash dog parks.
“Dog parks are a no-go as greyhounds are often petrified of other dog breeds due to growing up in isolated areas,” he said.
Mr Bell said the situation highlighted a serious discrepancy in state government and council policies.
“The state government allowed greyhound racing to continue, but local government is not giving retired greyhounds the opportunity to keep running for leisure, as they are bred to do.
“Adoptions of greyhounds are increasing, so the need for safe running areas is also increasing.”
Mr Bell said greyhounds were loving, gentle dogs.
“Many rescued hounds bear physical and emotional scars from their miserable time as racing dogs, but they don’t become angry and feral as a result of early experiences,” he said.
“They are very forgiving and seem to redouble their efforts to make friends with humans.
“They deserve a wonderful life after racing.”
Mr Bell said greyhounds did not lose their urge to run after their racing days ended, and needed large, flat, unobstructed spaces.
“Sutherland Shire’s off-leash parks are all unsuitable,” he said.
“Some of the flat areas are unfenced and this is out of the question for greyhounds.
“Greyhounds have very thin skin and large groups of dogs at a dog park causes much excitement among them all.
“All dogs, when out together, are usually playful, and greyhounds are easily injured from normal rough and tumble dog play, where thicker skinned dogs wouldn’t get a scratch.
“Our group is large with lots of dogs and for some people who are not familiar with greyhounds a pack of larger looking dogs arriving at once can be intimidating for both them and their dog.”
Mr Bell said fenced sports fields were a good solution
“They don’t cost anything and they don’t endanger or inconvenience the public, if five simple rules are adopted:
- All gates must be securely closed.
- All off-leash dogs must wear muzzles.
- Limit the number of off-leash dogs running together at one time.
- Keep noise levels down – which is reasonably easy to do because greyhounds rarely bark.
- Clean up thoroughly after the dogs.
A council spokeswoman said the council’s six designated off-leash areas were a safe and controlled space.
“Bonnet Bay baseball fields, in common with other playing fields, is a dog on-leash area and is patrolled by council staff,” she said.
“While the club may have had the best intentions at heart, there has been a misunderstanding as to what is permissible under their field allocation.
“Sporting associations are able to use allocated fields for their nominated sporting purpose in accordance with their allocation.
“Council recently responded to complaints about people using Bonnet Bay baseball fields as a dog off-leash area and upon arrival noticed the fields being used in this way and acted accordingly.
“Council supports the amenity considerations of the local residents but at the same values the community work being done to re-train greyhounds.
“We also recognise that by state law greyhounds are to be muzzled at all times unless they have been re-trained and this needs to occur at an appropriate site.
“We have offered other options for off leash zones, with six dog off-leash areas now available and have also invited the greyhound group the opportunity to speak to council staff if none of these areas are suitable for their specific needs.
- The Hobbit Hounds are asking supporters to sign a petition at: https://bit.ly/2AqubMg
