Regulations fail to constrain dog space use in threatened species beach habitats. Issue 6 (11th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneider, Thomas J.; Maguire, Grainne S.; Whisson, Desley A.; Weston, Michael A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental planning and management. Volume 63:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1022
• Page End: 1036
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11
• Subjects: beaches -- coasts -- flight initiation distance -- pet -- shorebirds -- space-use; City planning -- Periodicals; City planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2019.1628012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-0568

Abstract

Abstract : The management of domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ) in natural areas is controversial and more effective policy and management is required. We examine the occurrence and space use by dogs on southern Australian sandy beaches in different dog-leashing zones. We observed the people and dogs, and compliance with regulations. GPS loggers determined the space use by dogs ( n = 161). Existing dog-leashing zones had no influence on the space use by dogs, and this related to poor compliance with dog-leashing rules (69.7% of 188 dogs observed at "on-leash" beaches were "off-leash"). Dogs moved up to 33 km, at maximum speeds of up to 19 km h −1, during beach visits. Larger dogs occupied slightly more space. Overall, off-leash dogs were frequent regardless of prevailing dog-leashing regulations and these did not constrain the space use by dogs. Current regulations appear ineffective, and alternatives such as "no-dog" zones to replace "leash-only" zones warrant investigation.