Time to Roam Magazine Issue 4 - August/September 2013 | Page 15

responsibility for any damage that occurs
• Stock are allowed to traverse authorised stock routes and
working dogs may accompany them
• Dogs may be used for search and rescue
• Pets may be allowed to travel through a park if confined in
a vehicle, if there is no other route to a private property

So what is the problem with pets
in parks?
Pet dogs and cats pose a potential risk to wildlife through
predation, habitat destruction, spread of parasites and
disease, and the possibility of escape, therefore increasing the
already uncontrollable feral animal problem in our National
Parks. Small native animals and birds may be easily scared by
the scent of a dog, whom they would regard as a predator, and
they may abandon their young if stressed.
There are also concerns that droppings from domestic dogs
may carry parasites or seeds from unwanted weeds. Pets may
damage areas of cultural significance. Although many, if not
most pet owners are really very responsible, and would keep
their pets controlled on leads, or confined in vehicles, there
are those small few who would not.
It is not only the risk from our pets we need to worry about.
Wildlife and feral animals may be a reservoir for serious
infectious disease like Distemper (present in foxes), which
may infect our pets if they are not vaccinated.
There are many Regional Parks in NSW which do allow dog
walking, as long as your dog is confined on a leash. You can
go to the NSW Government Environment and heritage for
more information on these.
Karen Goldrick is a veterinarian at All Natural Pet
Care NSW www.naturalvet.com.au