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Planning For Dog Owners Not Dogs
19 October
1998
Too many planners resist the creation of good free running opportunities
for dogs, because they fail to think in terms of people with dogs’ when
considering public open space, according to leading urban policy and
animal management analyst, Virginia Jackson.
"Planners often fall into the trap of thinking about open space
planning issues simply in terms of controlling dogs. This misses the
important connection between dogs and their owners. Dogs play a critical
role in some peoples' lives and planners need to take account of this.
Planners need to include dogs and owners in their plans in the same
way they would include cyclists and football clubs" said Ms Jackson.
Speaking in Melbourne at the joint 18th World Congress of the International
Federation of Park and Recreation Administration and the 1st Parks and
Leisure Australia National Conference, Ms Jackson argues that while
dogs are an important inducement to some people for them to exercise,
many walk their dogs for other reasons as well.
"Owners take their dogs out because they get something from it
- they enjoy the interaction with their dog and with other dog owners
and they share some of the joy that their dog experiences whilst out
in the open.
42% of Australian households own dogs and these people often have very
close relationships with their pets. Public open space needs to be planned
so that it supports dogs and their owners, rather than based on the
need simply to control dogs" said Ms Jackson