DOG owners are failing to take responsibility for their pets and risk being fined if they flout the rules, warned Bathurst Regional Councillor Warren Aubin.
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Cr Aubin said in recent weeks he has seen in increase in the number people walking their dogs on the footpath without a leash.
"They all seem to have a leash in hand, but the dog is walking unrestrained.
"It's especially bad at the cemetery. Dogs are running off the leash all over the place.
"There are people up there with huskies, Great Danes, it's really bad."
He said he didn't understand the mentality of people carrying a leash but not having it attached to their dog's collar.
"It's sort of like a kid riding a bike with his helmet resting on the handlebars.
"It's too late to put on the helmet as you're falling.
"It's also too late to put on a leash once the dog has gotten away and attacked someone.
He said by law unless the dog was in a designated off leash area, if you're walking your dog out on the open it has to be on a lead.
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"And I'm seeing so much of it, it's going on everywhere, so I think it's time to give people a timely reminder.
"If you're caught walking a dog without a lead you're risking getting a fine, and it's $330.
"If your dog attacks another dog, you're also going to be responsible for any vet costs."
He said people might think their dog is placid, but that is only until another dog starts growing at it, and it takes off.
"It's just worries me. I see it so much, people walking along with their dog with the lead in their hand or hanging over their shoulder.
"If that dog takes off, it's gone."
Cr Aubin also said he has seen and received complaints about people not cleaning up after their dogs while out walking.
"People have a responsibility to clean up after their pet," he said.
"The amount of crap on the footpaths is woeful."
"It's pretty disappointing when people don't do the right thing," he said.
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