Lack of control at Mt Rogers!

Several of Mt Rogers' caring people are considering how best to word a possible sign or signs in relation to the blog post here. For input, please contact the Ginninderra Catchment Group office, on phone 6278 3309.
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As we (Rosemary, Ivan, Anne, Anne, Ted and Ann) were leaving after the working bee on Sunday 23rd October a woman with three Jack Russell-type terriers walked through the entrance to Mt Rogers reserve from the Wickens Place, Fraser carpark. This was at about 11.45.

A group of several adults (whom I did not recognise) was walking past and east along the main gravel track at the same point. Their terrier attacked one of the woman's dogs. She fended off the attacker with one of those ball-throwing 'sticks' and was bitten on the left hand.

The attack was unprovoked and the walking family made no attempt to show concern or ask if the dog or its owner were o.k. 

I suggested later (by a note under her windscreen wiper) that the woman make a complaint or at least a comment. I don't know if she did so.

The woman had come from Holt specifically because her dogs would have the freedom to walk around naturally.

Over two years ago the Mt Rogers community submitted scores of submissions in support of Mt Rogers remaining and off-leash dog exercise area. 

We also reiterated many times that

• there is a need for several signs explaining the reserve's OFF LEASH status 
• the sign should include a message about dogs being UNDER CONTROL AT ALL TIMES 
• the sign should explain that dogs should remain on-leash if they are not socialised or well behaved around other dogs or people
• the sign should explain that dog walkers have a legal obligation to collect and take away their dog's faeces.
• there is a need for faeces-collection bins in the same way that other jurisdictions provide these.

We were told that, since it's an ACT-wide problem, neither the signs nor the bins could be provided instantly.

I would like to think we will not have to wait much longer for the Mt Rogers sign. New visitors to Mt Rogers need to understand dog and dog-ownership etiquette before they venture into our very popular reserve.

Thank you for any expediting of the signage dog control and DAS is able to give.

Rosemary Blemings, Convenor

Mt Rogers Landcare Group