DOG lovers in Moss Vale have slammed a Wingecarribee Council plan to segregate man's best friend from others who use Seymour Park.
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"First it was no kids in cafes, and then it was no horses in Bowral CBD, now it's no dogs in parks - what is this area coming to?" dog owner Neville Usher asked.
A Draft Masterplan for Seymour Park, now on exhibition at the council, proposes a fenced area to allow segregation between passive recreation and a dog leash free area.
Wingecarribee media and communications officer David Sommers said the council had a duty of care to all who wished to use Seymour Park.
"At this stage, nothing is set in stone and council is more than open to meeting with residents to discuss their concerns," he said.
"But we have a high rate of dog-related incidents reported at Seymour Park; there have been instances of dog bites and where dogs have caused distress to neighbouring livestock.
"The fenced area was seen as one way to accommodate everyone who wants to use Seymour Park."
Dog owner Alexandra Bruveris said no one was against a perimeter fence to the park, just the idea of segregating dogs to one half.
"This has long been a leash free park, one of the few left in the Southern Highlands. We don't want that to change," she said.
"The half they want the dogs in has very little shade."
Dog owner Geraldine Turner said the responsibility for each dog fell on the owner.
"We had a dog out here once that acted aggressively, so we told the owner he couldn't bring him back and he agreed," Ms Turner said.
Elizabeth and John Hardy's home backs on to the park.
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“It’s just a gorgeous park, perfect for the beautiful dogs to run around in,” Mrs Hardy said.
Many of the dog owners said they believed the man responsible for leaving Seymour Park to the community did so with the wish it be enjoyed by residents and their dogs.
Wingecarribee Council could not locate the will.
Mr Sommers said staff at the council were hoping to organise a meeting with all concerned residents onsite at Seymour Park as soon as possible.
* What’s your view? Should dogs be segregated or should they be allowed to mingle with everyone at Seymour Park? Email
editor.highlandnews@ruralpress.com.au, visit www.southernhighlandnews.com.au and leave a comment, or post a letter to PO?Box 109, Bowral.
