Dogs on the Southern Ranges (in the SW WHA)

[ollster]

No, I am not kidding. A couple of forum members (Stu Bowling and aljscott) and myself were walking the Southern Ranges this past week with friends.

On enterting Leaning Tea Tree Saddle campsite to stay the night, we were barked at by two dogs that were in the company of two young ladies (mid 20s) and their older male and female (40s-50s) co-conspirators.

We confronted the two ladies with our many concerns about them leading dogs into the SW World Heritage Area, and we basically got "attitude". "That's just your opinion" was their response to our many concerns (introducing pests, introducing disease, polluting water sources, etc). We asked them to leave rather than polluting any more water sources, but they would not. We told them we would report them and they would probably be fined - "I don't care, I'll pay the fine".

And to add to the stupidity of the dogs, the group had been bathing in the larger of the two pools that were the only substantial water sources. THANKS A LOT YOU IDIOTS!

From the top of Mt Wylly using a 3G phone, we phoned Parks and tried to lodge a report, however Parks was shut for NYE (good one Tas Govt). In lieu of this we left details with a friend in order for them to report it, and proceeded on our way.

We took a photo of the 2 young ladies and the dogs leaving Wylly camp, with PB in the background, and I will be posting it as soon as one of our group gets the picture to me. If a mod has a problem with this, then by all means let me know why, but I see this as being fair to submit.

Because the dog group were also slowpoke softies, we overtook them the day after we encountered them, and certainly got out to Cockle Creek before they got out either way (judging by their pace). We then reported them to Parks in person at Cockle Creek. With the report we also provided details of what we suspect to be their car in the carpark at Lune River, along with their log book entry (yes, THAT brazen). The log book details match with the time along the route we encountered them, as well as the number in the group. The car had a dog toy, as well as dog hair.

If you know these idiots, please PM me so I can confirm details for Parks.

GRRRRRRR!!!

Oll.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Thats pretty selfish. It's the lack of decent water through there that would have peeved me the most! Bathing with the pack....... no thanks

[ollster]

Oh yeah, there was also a camp fire site at Cavern Camp on the base of PB. We destroyed it after taking pics. We reported this to Parks, too.

[ILUVSWTAS]

That was there when I was there this time last year. Ive seen so many recently ive given up! Eastern and Western Arthurs. The Thumbs, Pigsty Ponds. Not to mention EVERY camp site along the south coast when there should be only 2! Deadmans and surprise bay!!

[tasadam]

We took a photo of the 2 young ladies and the dogs leaving Wylly camp, with PB in the background, and I will be posting it as soon as one of our group gets the picture to me. If a mod has a problem with this, then by all means let me know why, but I see this as being fair to submit.

As far as I am concerned go for it. I will let Nik kow in case he missed it.

[Michael_Kingston]

Hopefully Parks take this seriously, follow up and, if they can successfully identify the culprits, prosecute. I also reckon you should contact The Mercury - they just might be interested in running a story, accompanied by your photo, on how idiots are treating our national parks.

[ollster]

I also reckon you should contact The Mercury - they just might be interested in running a story, accompanied by your photo, on how idiots are treating our national parks.

Hi Michael, yes we did discuss this amongst ourselves. I'll see if I/we can work up the courage.

[Michael_Kingston]

Good to hear Ollster - it is the sort of thing that I think has a good chance of being published.

[tastrax]

I agree, plus its better that its coming from a member of the public rather than PWS

[stepbystep]

Good one Ollster,
As a firm believer that dogs are the BEST people, and smarter, this is a perfect example.
Tasmania has so many beautiful places you can take your dog/s camping, far too many to mention.
These people should be exposed and made an example of.
I am interested to know what sort of penalty would apply if they were prosecuted? Probably put the dogs down
There is no ends to the stupidity of man.
Here ends my ramble.

P.S. - Perhaps contact SurlyDave from the forum, he might have a sympathetic ear, think he was the journo that interviewed The Breminator and his mates.

[sirius Tas]

As a dog owner who likes to take him walking where ever I can.....I certainly draw the line with entering Parks as there is so many great places where it's legal to take dogs e.g. can get a permit for all the CPPA plus nearly all of State Forest.....so agree totally with all previous comments. It's this type of selfish people who make it so hard for responsible dog owners. I certainly hope PWS make an example of these idiots and not the canines but I doubt whether they'll do anything. The best bet is definitely the media...with photos.

[Azza]

So you can imagine my suprise when I burst out of the scrub onto leaning tea tree saddle and this dog appeared from behind a bush and barked at me...

I'm just completely baffled as to how they were going to get the dogs up Kamaruka Moraine, over PB and down New River Lagoon.
You expect the dogs to swim for 8km? It sounds a bit cruel to me. btw they were carrying little doggy back packs as well.
I wouldn't be suprised if they end up in a spot of difficulty getting out.

On a side note I ran into a couple of guys starting the south coast track who were overally concerned about the brackish water.
Their immediate assumption was that it needed treating before drinking.
It's almost like its immediately assumed by interstate visitors that our water sources need treating.. hence why the dog people may not realise the potential impact that were having on the only viable water source on that part of the range.
I've never done anything other than boil water if it looked slightly suspect and I've never gotten sick.
I'd kinda like to keep it that way.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'd imagine the dog people will probably be going in and out the same way, return trip to PB. SURELY they wouldnt take them along the SCT??
It's surprising they got past the ranger station at cockle creek, though if the rangers were all on holiday over christmas I guess it wouldnt be hard getting past.

The impact they would be having on the limited water supplys along the Southern Ranges is what worries me the most about this as well Azza

[Drifting]

*&%$#! idiots (just thought I'd add my $0.02 worth.)

[ILUVSWTAS]

They are probably still down there.... Maybe we should go down and speak to them in a language they understand by pissing on the tyres of their car

[Michael_Kingston]

For all those wondering about the legal ramifications of bringing a dog into a National Park, The National Parks and Reserved Land Regulations 2009, made under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 (I know it is a mouthful), state ....

7. Prohibition of certain animals

(1) A person who is the owner or keeper of any animal that is not native to any reserved land must not take that animal onto, or allow that animal to be on or remain on, that reserved land.

Penalty:

Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

The current value of a penalty unit under the Penalty Units and Other Penalties Act 1987 is $120. Therefore, the maximum fine for bringing dogs into a National Park is $2400.

Naturally, the regulations allow some animals to be brought into Parks:

a. guide and hearing dogs (in line with Anti-Discrimination legislation).
b. dogs being used for flushing or retrieving game under a game authority. (eg. what is being done at Macquarie Island to remove rabbits)
c. animals confined within a moving vehicle on a road that does not terminate on reserved land (eg. driving with a pet on the Lyell Highway is fine as long as you do not stop within the Park where the highways passes through it, but you could not take a pet in the Dove Lake Road as it ends in the Park).

If you want to read the regulations and what they have to say about other illegal behaviour go to:

http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/in ... rec=;term=

[ronin]

They are probably still down there.... Maybe we should go down and speak to them in a language they understand by p i s sing on the tyres of their car

Let's wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised re- other thread, now that would be karma!

[Nuts]

d. dogs and cats that are already present (&^%&$ everywhere) and being 'monitored'....

(sorry, just a bit o fun I do hope that someone acts on this.... with all this good info, public knowledge n all, doesn't need a survey, additional funding or cost benefit analysis this one.... ok, ok...)

[Michael_Kingston]

You are right Nuts - especially about the cats!!!! As for whether Parks will do anything, that is why I suggested to Ollster they see if the Mercury will run it as a story with a photo of the idiots. At least that might go some way toward shaming them.

[Nuts]

Let's wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised re- other thread, now that would be karma!

Thats a bit harsh. I guess they know that it's not a good idea, probably dont like being told but they deserve a fine if so and (more importantly) the knowledge that they were fined needs to be widespread, that's all!

Like i said, go getum parks, all the help is here! (I wait with baited breath )

(Media is also a good idea, yes! (along with the person in a position to enforce regulations doing their job))

[ollster]

Let's wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised re- other thread, now that would be karma!

It was a POS with 2 almost completely bald tyres (on opposite sides of the car)... it didn't require vandalising.

[ronin]

Let's wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised re- other thread, now that would be karma!

Thats a bit harsh. I guess they know that it's not a good idea, probably dont like being told but they deserve a fine if so and (more importantly) the knowledge that they were fined needs to be widespread, that's all!

Like i said, go getum parks, all the help is here! (I wait with baited breath )

(Media is also a good idea, yes! (along with the person in a position to enforce regulations doing their job))

No, i was only kidding, but not having had anything to do with parks, how vigilant would they be to track down these mongrels and fine them?
To make an example of these people would be a great deterant but will that actually happen?

[ronin]

Let's wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised re- other thread, now that would be karma!

It was a POS with 2 almost completely bald tyres (on opposite sides of the car)... it didn't require vandalising.

Excellent, then if money is an issue for them, maybe a fine will do more damage anyway

[tasadam]

Did you get the rego? Report the unroadworthy vehicle to the police!
I'm all for punishment, so long as it is within the law.
Comments like wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised are a bit wrong.

[geoskid]

I also reckon you should contact The Mercury - they just might be interested in running a story, accompanied by your photo, on how idiots are treating our national parks.

Hi Michael, yes we did discuss this amongst ourselves. I'll see if I/we can work up the courage.

Oh be careful - make sure you are squeaky clean before going down that path. You would certainly have to make sure your photo did'nt appear using a bushwalkers stove on a total fire ban day (which is a bigger crime fine wise)

[ollster]

Oh be careful - make sure you are squeaky clean before going down that path. You would certainly have to make sure your photo did'nt appear using a bushwalkers stove on a total fire ban day (which is a bigger crime fine wise)

LOL. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" is not the right approach in this instance.

[ronin]

Did you get the rego? Report the unroadworthy vehicle to the police!
I'm all for punishment, so long as it is within the law.
Comments like wish that their car gets broken into/vandalised are a bit wrong.

Couldn't agree more, but as i mentioned, it was more tongue in cheek, geez, next time i'll use a smilie

[Singe]

There are always selfish idiots who will insist on ruining things for everyone else. The last time I was at South Cape Bay a group of two adults and two kids walked in and sat up on the rocks above the beach - when we returned the kids (presumably) had scratched their names into the rocks - and the adults never left them alone so must have seen what they were doing. "Oh you go ahead sweetie - I'm sure everyone will be pleased to learn you 'woz ere 09'"

At least now if anyone encounters drop-kick dog owners who say they'll just pay the fine, we can reply "good-o - that'll be $2400 thanks"

[tasadam]

So, who thinks that is "enough" as a fine goes, and whether there should be an increase in such things?

[ollster]

Well, I envisage it being $2400 x 2 dogs x 4 people = $19,200. Seems about right to me.

Or perhaps also x8 days (their suspected registration entry) = $153,600