Thread: Dogs in national parks

Originally Posted by trout1105

We have an old (12 yrs) jack russel/bitza bitch that is simply too lazy to get into mischief and we take pretty much everywhere we go But we can only go to areas that we are allowed to take a dog, NP's and many other places are off limits.
We also live 30 k's out of town and our nearest neighbour is about 5k's away so its Not as if she is an annoyance to the neighbours.

With the increase in recreational 4WD's over the last couple of decades and the complete lack of respect for the environment many of these people have for our national parks which is evidenced by the damage, graffiti, and pollution they cause every year complaining about a few pooches in the park is But a storm in a teacup.
You only have to look at the "I got bogged at Inskip" type footage to see the extent of the stupidity and recklessness of some of our 4WDing community and pull into just about any roadside stop/truck bay to see all the garbage and excreta that motorists in general scatter around the country.
Dogs are "Saints" compared to the wave of Human garbage that visit our national parks every year.

Can you imagine the additional damage the "Human garbage" could inflict if they were allowed to take puppies into NPs.

Originally Posted by scarry

I thought the main reason dogs are not allowed in NP's in Qld is because they chase and sometimes kill native wildlife.

Some NP's here also have signs that 1080 baits are being used.

Pretty much all parks that don't have a dingo population have 1080 baits everywhere to control fix and wild dog populations.

Whether they are currently baited or not is another question - but its also part of the reason not to take a dog into a national park.

I have a dog and I get a bit annoyed at times because if I want to go away with the doggo it needs to be a state forest with all the yobbos but I deal with it. Why? Because as someone who has spent a heap of time in national parks, I value the quietness offered by not having dirt bikes, dogs everywhere and the rest of it.

Originally Posted by JoeFriend

Pretty much all parks that don't have a dingo population have 1080 baits everywhere to control fix and wild dog populations.

Whether they are currently baited or not is another question - but its also part of the reason not to take a dog into a national park.

I have a dog and I get a bit annoyed at times because if I want to go away with the doggo it needs to be a state forest with all the yobbos but I deal with it. Why? Because as someone who has spent a heap of time in national parks, I value the quietness offered by not having dirt bikes, dogs everywhere and the rest of it.

We have a couple of Labs we take away with us. Both are kept under control when out in public and I doubt either would be much threat to wildlife. We also clean up after them always. 1080 bait is a real concern for us too so we don't let them wander, even in State Forests. As much as I'd like to take them into a NP I agree with the ruling they (and cats) are not allowed. I also get the need for the rule. We have stayed in some beautiful places in the bush on Air B'n'B where we were advised dogs weren't allowed because someone had let their beloved pooch maul a wallaby. Unfortunately there are some owners who seem to wear their manhood on a leash or simply don't care.

Having some areas dog free isn't the end of the world and I think it is important to keep some areas as peaceful as possible.

I wasn't going to post in this thread when I first read it because I knew I'd end up getting on my soap box but I do feel strongly NP's should be kept to the native critters.

Originally Posted by Grumbles

The reason for the ban on domestic dogs in NPs is well touted by Park management. It is that the scent left behind by your household pet may inhibit non-canine native fauna from freely moving about.

Of course, this presupposes that the native fauna has learnt to distinguish between a domestic pet dogs scent from the scent of the thousands of wild feral dogs which live and roam uninhibitedly in those same NPs. That a wild dogs scent will supposedly be ignored by all fauna but not your pet dogs scent.

Of course, this is a claim by the learned folk at NPWS who don't know their arse from their elbow really. I live in an area that is within about a block of a bushy area. We frequently get rabbits, bandicoots, possums and all sorts of creatures in our backyard, where occasionally, they can meet their doom at the jaws of our dogs. Before our current tribe, we had cross Rottys, which did not have a prey drive, but given the opportunity for a bit of sport, would take on the native wildlife. I can remember about 3 red bellies, a couple of brushtail possums and maybe a Bluetongue or two that met their demise in our backyard. Our current tribe is 3 greyhounds and a miniature schnauzer, which unfortunately have a hunting instinct and have ripped apart quite a few bandicoots. Our yard is well fenced by 3 brick walls and the house and has strategically placed lumps of dog poop freshly laid daily, but this does not scare off the natives. So you can probably understand my scepticism at their claim about the scent.
We work with Sydney wildlife and rehabilitate ringtail possums and Macropods. When we let soft release the possums, we have to keep the dogs on leashes in the backyard at night when they go out to pee, we don't encourage this behaviour.
I would not let my dogs run loose in a national park, or anywhere for that matter, they are really not that aware of anything other than what they are focussed on. But if they were under control in a NP, I don't think there would be an issue with the wildlife. maybe the rules will one day be reconsidered.

I'm getting a bit fed up with reading about 'responsible dog owners'. My observations have been that most dog owners only act responsibly when they think they're being watched.
.W.

Dog or No Dog, I just don't go into National Parks.
Can't tolerate the people & the **** (literally) they leave behind.

But Dogs in the wild are obviously a problem. Seen this in our travels.

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

I'm getting a bit fed up with reading about 'responsible dog owners'. My observations have been that most dog owners only act responsibly when they think they're being watched.
.W.

You could say its the same with 4wders

Originally Posted by goingbush

Dog or No Dog, I just don't go into National Parks.
Can't tolerate the people & the **** (literally) they leave behind.

But Dogs in the wild are obviously a problem. Seen this in our travels.

Yep massive problem seen that plenty of times foxes also, $120 a dog scalp thats how bad they are.
Foxes are only $10, i have about $250 sitting in my freezer in scalps
They need to put cats on the bounty now...