Exercising your dog

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Yarra Ranges Council has established rules under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to help keep public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone. 

Where dogs can be off leash

Dogs must be kept on a leash in all public places unless you are in a designated off-leash area.

There are 23 parks and reserves in Yarra Ranges where dogs are permitted off leash. Always check signage or the official map before visiting. Dog off leash areas are located in the following reserves:

  • Belgrave Lake Park
  • Butterfield Wildlife Reserve
  • Cherylnne Crescent Easement
  • Coronation Park
  • Don Road Recreation Reserve
  • Elizabeth Bridge Reserve
  • Hickman Place Reserve
  • Hull Road Drainage Reserve - Hull Road Drainage Reserve is currently closed and will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to its use as a railway construction site.
  • Johns Hill Lookout Reserve
  • Kalorama Memorial Reserve
  • Kimberly Reserve
  • Lillydale Lake (Inclusive of Bellbird Park) - dogs prohibited in beach, fitness, BBQ and playground areas.  View the map for more details
  • Margaret Lewis Reserve
  • Mooroolbark Retarding Basin
  • Mount Evelyn Aqueduct Trail
  • Mount Morton Reserve
  • Pembroke Retarding Basin
  • Richards Reserve
  • Seville Recreation Reserve
  • Summerhill Park Drive Reserve
  • Wandin East Recreation Reserve
  • Wards Reserve
  • Wesburn Park Reserve
  • Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve (Yarra Glen Showgrounds)

See the map above for more details on off leash areas.

Owner responsibilities and keeping effective control

When bringing your dog into a public place, you must ensure your dog:

  • Does not worry, threaten, rush at, or attack people or other animals
  • Remains under effective control at all times

What is effective control?

Dogs may only be exercised off leash in designated areas. When using these areas, owners must:

  • Carry a leash at all times
  • Keep the dog under effective control
  • Ensure the dog does not threaten or harm people or animals
  • Follow all rules displayed on local signage

A dog is considered under effective control when:

  • It is on a leash no longer than 1.5 metres, attached to a collar, harness or halter, or
  • It responds to voice command, and:
    • The owner can see what the dog is doing
    • The dog returns promptly when called

Dog waste responsibilities

When your dog is in a public place, you must:

  • Carry bags or other means to collect waste
  • Pick up and properly dispose of any droppings immediately

Cleaning up after your dog:

  • Keeps parks and reserves clean and safe
  • Reduces the spread of germs and disease
  • Protects local waterways
  • Supports safe maintenance of public spaces

Failure to clean up after your dog may result in fines.

Dog prohibited areas

Dogs are not allowed at any time in certain locations, including:

  • All ovals and sports fields (unless approved for dog training by a Committee of Management)
  • Within 20 metres of:
    • Playground equipment
    • Outdoor fitness equipment
    • Permanent BBQ or picnic areas
  • Designated beach areas at Lillydale Lake

Dogs are prohibited in the following reserves

  • Mineshaft Reserve, Minsharft Road Macclesfield
  • Montrose Brickworks Flora Reserve, Cambridge Road Mooroolbark
  • Quinn Reserve, Quinn Crescent Mt Evelyn

They are also prohibited in parts of the following reserves:

  • Lillydale Lake (including Bellbird Park), Swansea Road Lilydale
  • Butterfield Wildlife Reserve, Butterfield Road Emerld
  • Wards Reserve, Wards Road Monbulk
  • Ken Leversha Reserve, Ruby Road Montrose
  • Minak Reserve, Wombalana Road Selby

Please see the map above for further details.

Dogs are also restricted in:

  • National parks and protected natural areas
  • Land managed by Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, or DEECA (unless signage permits dogs)
  • Sensitive wildlife habitats, including:
    • Water environments
    • Beach nesting areas
    • Locations where wildlife may be disturbed
       
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