Dogs have their day at new leash free area

7 August 2017

Orange City Council has opened another leash free area for the city’s four-legged residents.

The dog leash free area is a strip of land, about 600 metres long and 30 metres wide, south from the Escort Way, alongside the entrance to Ploughmans Lane.

The site is about 1.5 hectares and is council’s 11^th leash-free area.

Leash free areas give dogs an opportunity to socialise and exercise, which reduces the likelihood of a dog becoming aggressive.

However, it is important dog owners are responsible when using the parks and they must be in control of their dog at all times.

This means the dogs must respond immediately to commands such as ‘Stop’ and ‘Stay’.

These commands are particularly important when other dogs or children are using the off-leash area.

Even in off-leash areas, the person in charge of the dog has responsibilities under the Companion Animals Act regarding dogs attacking other animals or people.

It’s also important for owners to pick up after their dogs. There are dog litter bins provided in each dog off leash area.

You can exercise your dog in other parks and reserves around the city including Lake Canobolas as long as they are on a lead at all times

Maps of each off leash areas can be found on www.orange.nsw.gov.au

The new leash free area is highlighted in blue in the map below.