MONTVILLE woman Annie Hewitt is questioning why council officers aren't using discretion after copping a $252 fine for not restraining her deaf, arthritic dog on a deserted beach.

She'd taken her 11-year-old border collie Frank to the beach near access 130 between Twin Waters and Mudjimba when she received the fine.

Ms Hewitt said it was about midday and there were no other beach users within a kilometre of them when two council officers approached her and issued the on-the-spot fine.

She said Frank had been at the water's edge, unleashed at the time, before moving back to his spot laying underneath the shade of a beach umbrella.

Ms Hewitt acknowledged she'd been in the wrong part of the beach, but after visiting the spot - which she said was a common off-leash area - twice a week for 10 years and seeing countless other dogs off-leash previously, she questioned why officers didn't use common sense.

"I was the only person on the beach that day," she said.

"Why couldn't they just have issued a very stern warning?"

She said her "obedient" dog was causing no trouble, not even bothering the birds and they hadn't been walking at the time, just standing at the water's edge, when officers nabbed them.

"It's (a swim at the beach) his only joy in life," Ms Hewitt said.

"I'm not denying the fact we were in the wrong... we would've happily moved on (with a warning)."

Reader poll Should council officers show more discretion on fines over dogs? This poll ended on 18 January 2018. Current Results Yes, in some situations it's just ridiculous. 66% No, rules are rules and they're there for a reason. 20% Fines shouldn't be issued unless a complaint is made. 12% This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.



A Sunshine Coast Council representative said the region was home to people with varied opinions on where dogs should be allowed.

"Some people like to share open spaces with dogs and others may prefer not to. Council does its best to help share our community spaces, like beaches, to try to be fair to everyone.

"The local laws in relation to animal management are in place for a number of reasons, in part they are to ensure that when someone is visiting a public space they know what to expect in relation to the level of interaction they will have with other people's dogs.

"This allows people who are not comfortable with dogs to visit locations where dogs are on a leash or are prohibited with confidence that they will not be approached by an unrestrained animal."

The council representative said that in a public place it was the dog owner's responsibility to keep their dog on a lead and under effective management at all times, unless in an off-lead area. "Council has a strong and clear stance on responsible pet ownership and expect that those responsible for exercising dogs in public spaces check the signage before taking their dog off-lead.

"While they have their dog off a lead dog owners are responsible for ensuring their dog responds to voice commands and does not impact on other users in the area."