Byron Bay Council is reminding residents and visitors to the Byron Shire with pets in tow this summer to make sure they understand the rules to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines.

“The rules for taking dogs into public spaces differ so if you’re moving around or visiting from other areas, it’s important you understand where you can and can’t take your dog, and what your responsibilities are as a dog owner,” Council’s Manager Public and Environmental Services, Sarah Nagel said.

“Dogs need to be on a lead AT ALL TIMES, unless you’re in one of Byron Shire’s off-lead dog exercise areas,” Ms Nagel said.

Dogs are prohibited in some areas of the Shire including national parks, sporting grounds, popular beaches such as Main Beach Byron Bay, and signed wildlife protections areas.

Off-lead beach areas include sections of Tallow Beach, Belongil Beach, Brunswick Heads Main Beach, New Brighton and South Golden Beach. Off-lead park areas can be found in Suffolk Park, Mullumbimby and Bangalow. 

Information about dog off-lead locations is on Council’s website.  

“We want our resident and visiting four-legged friends to get the run around they need, while we protect our unique and precious wildlife and respect the needs of everyone using our open spaces.

Rules that apply in the off-lead dog exercise area include:

1. Dog owners must ensure their dog is under effective voice control at all times and does not become a nuisance or impede on the enjoyment of other users of the area.
2. Dog owners must clean up and properly dispose their dog's faeces.
3. Remove your dog if it becomes anxious, aggressive or annoys other dogs or people and seek professional dog behavioural advice.
4. Do not socialise your dog with other dogs if they are showing signs of illness.
5. Ensure your dog’s vaccinations and worming treatments are up-to-date.

“Unlike some other shires along the east coast, we don’t have time-share arrangements for our beach ‘off-lead’ areas, which makes them special but often very busy spaces.

“For everyone’s enjoyment and safety it is critical to stick to the ‘off-lead’ etiquette while you’re in a dog-exercise area, or risk a fine,” Ms Nagel said