We’re renewing our Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) to foster animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, creating a community where people and pets coexist peacefully and respectfully.

The DAMP outlines how Council manages:

• Training programs for authorised officers
• Strategies for promoting responsible pet ownership
• Ensuring effective animal management
• Reducing dog attack risks and minimising nuisance complaints
• Encouraging pet registrations
• Reviewing and updating local laws related to animal management

To ensure the revised DAMP reflects a wide range of community perspectives and needs, we’re seeking feedback on how we can improve domestic animal management in the Bayside area.

We are also reviewing dog off leash restrictions at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and all beaches within Bayside, as part of the current DAMP, to strike the right balance between fun on the sand for all visitors while protecting sensitive environments.

We understand there’s a wide range of experiences with pets in public spaces, which is why it’s important we hear from all perspectives.

• Survey 1: Select a marker on the map below to fill in a short survey about how to make the dog restrictions fair and clear at the beaches you visit.
• Survey 2: Complete a quick survey to inform Bayside’s next Domestic Animal Management Plan. In this survey you can also apply to join our ‘Fetching Feedback’ group which will meet on Thursdays evenings in March to consider views and make recommendations to Council.

Copies of the surveys to print and post are available to download at the bottom of this page.