Frankston dog ban: Pet owners threatened with $200 fine for violating ‘stupid’ playground rule

Dog owners have raged at a Melbourne town hall over a controversial rule now in place that prevents them from bringing their pet near a public park.

Residents will now be fined if their dogs are found within 10 meters of any public playground in the Frankston local government area, in the south-east of the city.

First introduced in 2022, the rule recently advanced from the education phase to the enforcement phase, where dog owners will be required to pay a $200 fine for violating the directive.

Additional council patrols will be stepped up to ensure “increased compliance”, while the public is urged to report incidents of continued non-compliance.

New signs have also been installed in parks to remind residents of the rules.

Independent Frankston councilor Kris Bolam took to social media this week to confirm fines are now in place, prompting a divided reaction from the community.

Frankston Town Council has put up new signs to remind dog owners that fines now apply

The dog ban was first introduced in 2022 after a series of heartbreaking incidents in the coastal LGA.

“One of these residents had the horrific experience of witnessing his granddaughter being attacked by an off-leash dog,” Cr Bolam explained.

“Although the girl fortunately escaped with only a few scratches, the experience had a profound impact on the resident.”

He warned that council officers will increase patrols in areas with “recorded non-compliance” to ensure the rules are followed.

“These new rules are not about revenue collection or the ‘nanny state,'” Mr. Bolam wrote.

‘Rather, it is about the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable children.

“Of all places, we hope children are safest in our public parks.”

Dogs are prohibited from coming within 10 meters of Frankston Council playgrounds (one pictured)

The new rules sparked a divided community reaction.

‘It’s a shame that families can no longer take their dogs for a walk in the park with their children. Too many stupid and illegal rules that you and other councilors are imposing,” one of them commented.

Another added: “This is just another rule that irresponsible landlords have to ignore while they punish families who are trying to do the right thing.”

A third wrote: ‘I don’t understand how this solves the dog problem.

«Dogs were no longer allowed off leash. This is just another rule that irresponsible landlords must ignore while they punish families who try to do the right thing.’

But many others welcomed the crackdown.

“A pet does not trump a child’s right to be happy and have fun without having to worry about someone’s dog running at them or shitting on the playground,” one wrote.

Another added: ‘This is great. We were in Overport last weekend and almost ran into an off-leash dog we were passing in the car park.

Frankston was also one of the first councils in Australia to ban smoking within 10 meters of playgrounds.

Dog owners will be fined $200 if their pets get too close to a play area in Frankston LGA (file image)

Many other Australian councils have also banned dogs on playgrounds, including North Sydney, Randwick and the City of Sydney.

“We must protect children from parasites and diseases that can be transmitted through dog droppings,” Sydney City Council says on its website.

‘You risk a $330 fine if your dog is in a playground.

“Your dog is welcome at more than 400 of our parks and open spaces.”

Melbourne’s Port Phillip City Council’s dog ban is located less than 5 meters from playgrounds.

Playgrounds are also a no-go zone for dogs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.