Three quarters of Busselton pet owners use dog beaches, survey reveals

A Busselton community survey has found 75 per cent of dog owners used off-leash dog beaches, with most left feeling satisfied or neural about dog-beach conditions. The online Tails of the City survey, commissioned by the City of Busselton and conducted by Bang the Table, saw 196 responses answering questions about pet ownership and pet exercise areas in the city. The survey found three quarters of respondents were either satisfied or had neutral feelings about the condition of dog beaches, while around 75 per cent of respondents were at least neutral with the city’s animal management controls.. According to city officers, respondents reported eight main areas of concern with current conditions. These included a lack of effective control of dogs in dog exercise area, too much dog waste in local areas and community disregard for dog management controls. Roaming and trespassing cats was also highlighted as an issue. The survey found 79 per cent of respondents owned a pet, with three quarters of those owning a dog, nine per cent a cat and 15 per cent both. As a result of the survey, councillors voted to support the continuation of the existing seasonal dog exercise area restrictions and immediately improve dog beach signage, increase ranger presence and target community education. The motion was passed at Wednesday’s meeting en bloc on Wednesday.