A COMMUNITY of Midland dog owners are calling on local and state government to invest in a fit for purpose dog exercise area in the City of Swan and for residents to support the idea.

Swan View Dog Park community member Greg Ross has been calling for a dog exercise area closer to home after seeing the success of the Balfour Road dog exercise area.

In Swan View dog run needs small dog area (Echo News, February 28) Swan View resident Elle Rachel said she hoped to gain support for the group’s request for an exercise area dedicated to smaller dogs.

Mr Ross had been making use of the maintenance depot on Balfour Road to exercise his dog, but the 3 to 4km distance from home for him has made a walk there and back a challenge.

“There’s some great fit-for-purpose off-leash areas all around Perth and various suburbs but unfortunately Midland’s one of those forgotten suburbs,” Mr Ross said.

“We haven’t got much in the way of exercise areas for dogs and we need a facility that’s fenced off properly.

“I’ve got a rescue dog, a bull arab, and you can’t underestimate how tall a fence needs to be because the big dogs will clear it, so you need proper fencing.

“Additionally, you need to create areas for big dogs and small dogs because dog parks are very social areas, and you’d want it to be a community asset where all people can come with dogs of all sizes.”

Mr Ross said dog parks under consideration needed to meet several criteria to make for a good dog run area.

“A lot of people with small dogs are elderly and not firm on their feet and big dog exercise runs are like being in the middle of a rugby field between the Wallabies and the All-Blacks,” he said.

“If the big dogs get the zoomies, then stand back – they’ll go between your legs, around your legs and even over you.

“There are so many dogs that need proper exercising and that’s part of the reason why dog parks are springing up.

“I have to give credit to the Shire of Mundaring for their design in the Brown Park where there will be a properly designed dog off leash area although we’ve found some faults in that.

“Brown Park is too big for recall control, and it also shares ground with sports players and dog poop on a sports ground is no good, so those are some considerations, but the shire is listening to us.”

Mr Ross said he intended to put together a petition for a dog exercise park in Midland, ideally at Natham Square, as suggested by Swan deputy mayor Ian Johnson.

“I would like as many signatures as possible to create an area for dog owners to come and enjoy a safe enclosed area where dogs can exercise and socialise.”

Residents seeking more information or interested in supporting the dog exercise area may contact Greg Ross via his email at greg.w.ross@bigpond.com