Bushwalk Australia

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a dog and I enjoy walking with them but have never done so in this country - can you tell me what is ok and what isn't (legally). Don't worry, I clean up after them etc but don't want to fall foul of the law as to where you can walk dogs in the bush.

R

You can take your pup within State Forests and crown lands. You can't take them into National Parks, conservation area's and some State Rec areas (the latter just check before going).

Should keep your pup on a lead at all times as well.
There is a book in most camping stores (BCF has it) that is all about camping with dogs with suggested areas that is available.

If you plan to go walking with your pup, check the area first to see if it is a NP or Conservation area.

ange

cheers for that! i've never really bothered caring about the different classifications of park until now!

watch out for ticks.... can be nasty

Dogs are not allowed on the National Trails; The Bicentennial National Trail, parts of the Hume and Hovel Walking Track, the Australian Alps Walking Track and The Great Divide Trail. There are numerous baits laid throughout the country for wild dogs and foxes. You can read on these trail sites, "Please leave your dog at home." In the US it is common for dogs to be trail dogs, which isn't a practice here, that I've seen.

In state forests, particularly in the Tumut, Tumbarumba and Brindabella Regions, wild dogs are a serious problem. State forests employ professional dog trappers who use soft jaw traps, satellite tracking devices, and aerial baiting. Not knowing where the next hot spot is, it will always pay to ring State Forests in your region.

One of the issues State Forests are concerned about is, there is a growing use of dogs for hunting pigs. These dogs are taken from pounds for the purpose. The pig hunters are not the slightest bit concerned if they lose a dog. These dogs are left to starve in the forests or move on to attack sheep or even people and their pets. If you do lose your dog in the bush don't expect it will be sympathetically returned to you ... http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd30 ... Donors.jpg

In state forests sand pads are also used to monitor feral dog numbers and a domestic dog running freely can create a great deal of havoc concerning false readings.

Certainly don't get it wrong with a dog, near Sydney Catchment Authority land. The penalty is up to $11,000 ... http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd30 ... r-01-4.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1GxAPXrUCQ

In our front garden there was Roo attack just recently, that didn't make the news, until now. I thought that one of my screaming neighbours was being killed and I raced into the front garden with a 4" long screw driver to save anybody still remaining alive and I ran straight into this dog and Roo fight, I soon stood back.The dog killed the Roo for once, it wasn't a pretty event, it really was terrible. The ACT Parks Rangers were not happy when they arrived ... and went looking for the unknown dog owner and the dog.

The Dunlop Ponds massacre a few years earlier happened close to where I live. The Dunlop Ponds are on the 'Bicentennial National Trail'. What, dogs on the BNT? - the following article was taken from the 'Amazing Australia' web site.

"Killer kangaroos claimed the lives of two dogs and injured at least one person in Canberra during the first week of July 2004. Christine Canham was walking her four golden retrievers around Dunlop Ponds in Canberra's northern suburbs when her dog, Summer, had a run-in with a kangaroo who then held him under water and drowned him. Drought conditions have made the kangaroos change their usual behaviour and become active in daytime and fiercely defend water sources and feed patches.They have moved from nature reserves to Canberra's better-watered areas, such as sports fields and around ponds, where locals like to walk their dogs at dusk. Locals living in the National Capital have been told how to avoid attacks by the mad marsupials. Don't approach a kangaroo when it is standing up and looking straight at you, especially if it growls or snorts. People have also been told to keep their dogs on a leash. In the same week a woman was badly scratched while she was walking with a small poodle and got too close to a large male kangaroo. Authorities can not do too much about it as culling them within city limits is out of the question because of ACT firearms laws. In the past former governor-general Bill Hayden and his successor William Deane became irritated by kangaroos overrunning their gardens at Yarralumla and asked unsuccesfully for them to be shot. Near the city at Googong Dam authorities did start culling kangaroos but animal liberationists protested and stopped them temporarily."

The Territory Government eventually ended up killing 880 kangaroos ... in an attempt to protect our pets? The assassins herded the Roos into fenced off areas and gave them a shot of the green dream.

Warren.

Warren - thanks so much for the comprehensive and insightful post. This is a great help to me and doubtless anyone else wishing to walk with a 4 legged companion!

Richard you are most welcome. All advice on this thread is very good.

Lizzy's advice about ticks is something to take on board and to remain forever vigilant. The Australian Paralysis Tick is lethal to both dogs and cats.

The body and head of the tick need to be removed and checked that all the bits are out, otherwise the head will continue to burrow. Humans can become extremely ill with Tick poisening. I spent a week in intensive care with Australian Paralysis Tick poisoning a while ago. A doctor failed to remove the head of the tick. I kept telling doctors that the head was still in the back of my leg and I was slowly getting sick. I visited several doctors several times and they all said the head had been removed it. On the 5th day after being bitten, I was in intensive care.

Take care ... http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/inquiry/factsh ... 080709.pdf

Warren.

I know this is an older post, but leeches weren't covered.

If walking through a leech known area, always check your dogs afterwards. I tend to go over my dogs before I leave the walking area, salting any leeches I see. Then when I'm at home I'll give a salt bath - just in case I missed any.

A salt bath looks like this (for me) - half a cup of salt (more or less) dissolved in 10-15Lts of warm water. Sponge over dog particularly between toes, around tail etc and underneath. Wait around 5 mins for any left over leeches to start falling off. Better to find them before they start dropping onto your carpet

Dogs are pretty much only allowed in their own yards in Oz! It's so restricted.

WarrenH wrote:In the US it is common for dogs to be trail dogs, which isn't a practice here, that I've seen.

Wish it were more common here, but in North America I simply wouldn't go hiking along unless I had a dog ... walking in bear country terrifies me.

One near Sydney bushwalking club noted their recent programme had three dog friendly walks. No doubt completely legal, but as it was on their internal email system, I'm reticent to publish the club's name as they may not wish this to be a recruitment feature. If you're interested I suggest you contact Bushwalking NSW and ask about dog friendly clubs.

I made my own loophole...My Dingo comes bush with me and quiet legally so.