Clifton Park residents attended the Harvey Shire Council meeting last Tuesday to raise concerns about dogs in the area.

Congratulating councillors on the urban forest and nature playground, resident Errol Hammond voiced concerns about some irresponsible dog owners who let their animals roam, unreported dog attacks and dogs roaming the nature playground when children were playing.

“Every day we see the situation being abused – dogs not on leads on the Collie River foreshore,” Mr Hammond said.

He said he regularly saw dogs 100m or more from their owner along the foreshore and even witnessed a dog attack right in front of his own house which took more than a minute to break up.

Mr Hammond claimed neither dog owner reported the incident.

He acknowledged enforcing this type of behaviour must be difficult for rangers and said dog owner education was key to resolving the issue.

Shire president Tania Jackson and corporate services manager Shane Collie said the council would speak to rangers about the issue.

Cr Jackson acknowledged Mr Hammond’s comments and said council staff did need to monitor the situation. “If people did report attacks and made us aware of the issues it would make it easier for us to monitor,” she said.