Dog leash campaign launched

Called Lexie's Leash and coordinated by Russell Island resident Janelle (surname withheld by request), the campaign is a response to Janelle's dogs having been savaged in January by a pack of unleashed dogs.

As previously reported by Redland City Bulletin, Janelle was walking her three-year-old Maltese shih tzu, Archie, and six-year-old spoodle, Lexie, on leads along Russell Island's Sandy Beach when the larger dogs attacked, resulting in Lexie needing emergency surgery for neck lacerations.

Redlands Veterinary Surgery vet Katria Lovell, who treated Lexie, told Redland City Bulletin dog attacks in the Redlands were a common occurrence.

"Not a weekend goes by without we get injuries like these," she said.

"We have at least one or two of them as emergencies every week, and the offending dogs are usually off the leash."

A Redland City Council spokesman said 307 aggressive dog related incidents were reported to the council during the 12 months to December 31, 2014, with 23 of them relating to Russell Island.

Janelle said the attack on her dogs had prompted her to launch the campaign to "educate dog owners on their responsibilities".

"Owning a dog isn't just about getting a cute puppy and leaving it at that," she said.

"The attack to my dogs broke my heart and the thought that it could happen to someone else because of irresponsible owners who won't walk their dogs on a lead is terrible."

Janelle said Lexie's Leash would centre on educating communities and she planned to take the campaign nation-wide.

She said she also planned to canvass the council for a dedicated animal control officer located on the islands, as there was often a delayed response when roaming dogs were reported to the council.

"This can often take days," she said.

However, the council spokesman said animal management officers already worked across the entire city, including on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

"On most days, there will be an animal management officer on the bay islands undertaking proactive patrols and responding to community requests," he said.

"Residents with an animal management request should call council and the animal management officer will respond as promptly as possible."

For more information about Lexie's Leash, visit www.lexiesleash.com