Dog attacking formerly resting seal at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve in November 2020 - a No Dogs area. Photo supplied
At the commencement of the winter school holidays the Northern Beaches Council stated it intended to extend allowing dogs offleash on Mona Vale beach for a further 12 months while it prepares a report on the first 12 months of its ‘trial’.
As the first report, which progressed the same, recorded dogs being observed on that beach and no wildlife as a result, despite the records of residents lodged in inaturalist pointing to where wildlife lives here, residents have stated another 12 months to formulate a report is a very long time to compile data and indicates the council recommending allowing dogs offleash in wildlife habitat and near small children in this public area is likely to become permanent.
See August 2025 report: Northern Beaches Council recommends allowing dogs offleash on Mona Vale Beach
The 12-month trial commenced on 14 October 2025 and was set to conclude on 13 October 2026, according to a statement made by the council in response to a fairy penguin being killed by an offleash dog on Warriewood beach, alongside the 'trial area', as it came ashore to moult in peace and safety on a former fairy penguin home site and in fairy penguin habitat in January 2026.
Twelve weeks after that March 2026 statement, the impact on local wildlife and other residents, is set to continue.
Wildlife rescue data in NBC LGA: 98 attacks by dogs
The NSW Dept. of Environment’s Wildlife rehabilitation data dashboard, current to 30 June 2025 (latest available), records in the 2024/2025 year, across NSW, 46, 061 animals were rescued and just 12,488 released back to their homes.
Of these 5,128 were rescued in the Northern Beaches Council LGA, well over 10% of the total in the whole state, with 1208 released back to their home grounds, and 3,920 deaths.
There were animals from 13 threatened species rescued, 91 animals in all in these listings, of which just 8 were re-released after rescue and rehabilitation.
The Northern Beaches Council LGA's data totals are:
- Birds: 2,610
- Mammals: 2,053
- Reptiles: 461
- Amphibians: 4
Those coming into care due to dog attacks were:
- Summer: 29
- Autumn: 18
- Winter: 15
- Spring: 36
Which is a total 98 wildlife animals and birds attacked by dogs in the Northern Beaches Council LGA during 2024/2025.
In comparison, cats accounted for 33 attacks on local wildlife during the 2024/25 Spring, while foxes killed 2 over the whole same 2024-2025 period.
All up 259 animals comprising 112 mammals, 96 birds and 51 reptiles were attacked in the Northern Beaches Council LGA, including 88 possums and 7 bandicoots and 1 swamp wallaby. There were three listed threatened species and 12 animals were rescued. The threatened species included keystone grey-headed foxes, a blossom bat and a little lorikeet.
Of the 259 rescued just 50 survived the attacks and were released back into their habitat homes. Just 1 of the 12 threatened species of animals was released – 11 died.
Birds attacked included lagoon, wetlands and beachfront habitat species; 1 Australian wood duck and 1 Pacific Black Duck, 2 silver gulls, 1 lapwing plover, 1 black shouldered kite and 1 fairy or little penguin.
As mentioned above, another fairy penguin was killed on Warriewood Beach in January 2026 – a horrible terrifying death – and which will form part of the record of 2025-2026 NSW Dept. of Environment data for the Northern Beaches Council LGA.
See March 2026 report: Little Penguin Killed on Warriewood Beach: Offleash Dog the likely murderer
The wildlife rescue data also records 14 Eastern Water Dragons were attacked and just 3 released after being rescued.
Residents have been reporting Eastern Water Dragons being killed by offleash and roaming dogs in the Elanora-Warriewood and Ingleside area for years now.
See January 2025 report: Wildlife killed by Same roaming dog Pair Again: 2025 Review of NSW Companion Animals Act to Commence following Dog Attack Inquests
On Tuesday, 30 June 2026 the Northern Beaches Council announced it is ‘’proposing to extend the Mona Vale Beach (south) dog off-leash area trial (the trial) for a further 12 months to 13 October 2027’’.
The 'feedback' period opened Monday June 29 and closes Sunday July 26 - Sunday week.
Residents point out running a consultation when many locals are on holidays and probably out of the area, or when schools are going back (July 20), is not only poor timing it 'smacks of gaming the system' - like politicians who announce unpopular policy and decisions on Christmas Eve or December 31st, when people have 'clocked off' for the year and not paying attention.
The council released statement continues:
‘’The trial commenced on 14 October 2025 and is planned to conclude on 13 October 2026.
An extension will allow the trial to continue during assessment of the initial 12-month period, avoiding disruption to the community that would result from pausing it.
The current trial rules would remain the same including the time restrictions and the trial area. ‘’ the council stated
‘’Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the proposal to extend the trial allows for people to continue to take dogs to the trial area while the trial is under assessment.
“The community has been very passionate about the trial, and we have implemented a transparent, comprehensive and robust trial process that balances the needs of the dog community, beachgoers and the protection of the environment.
“Since the trial commenced, Council’s staff have been collating data including on-site observations during permitted and prohibited times and community feedback. This will all feed into the assessment and inform the future use of this site.” Mayor Heins said.
The community can have their say on the proposed trial extension by visiting Council’s Your Say page until 26 July 2026. The feedback will be reported to Council at its 15 September 2026 meeting.
Information about the trial is available on Council’s website.’’
However, residents state, regarding the councils 'have your say' program:
‘’all the council’s ‘consultations’ are really statements of intent as even when multiple people object to a proposal this is counted as ‘supports’ and passed’’.
Residents continue to experience an increase in dogs offleash in every public space, including all beaches, and state the narrative coming out of the council around dogs is part of the problem.
Even trying to report a dog attack has become a problematic experience, with those providing accurate information and addresses finding a delay in action and even having to go back to the council when the same dog attacks in the same places, and still hearing nothing back from the council, weeks later.
On one social media platform an anonymous user posting under an anonymous ‘Turkey’ handle asked this week:
‘’Just after some local advice. We live in Avalon and have two beautiful, well-behaved dogs. I used to love walking on the beach early in the mornings, but lately we’ve mostly been heading to the muddy dog parks. I know dogs aren’t permitted on Avalon Beach, and we regularly go to Mona Vale and Bayview where they’re allowed. But I’ve noticed the occasional little paw prints on Avalon recently, which made me curious. If I were to walk my dogs before 7:00 am, keeping them under control and always cleaning up after them, what are the chances of running into issues? Do locals ever do this, or is it generally considered a complete no-go? I’m not looking for comments saying “the rules are the rules”—I completely understand the regulations. I’m just genuinely interested in hearing what people actually do in practice and whether there’s a time that’s generally considered quieter or more acceptable. ‘’
One response was:
‘’Two questions… ethics and getting caught. Re ethics: If you go early when the beach is almost empty and your dogs don’t hurt or annoy anyone or other wildlife, and you do more good than harm (pickup your dogs poops, pick up other rubbish when you see it) - then that’s ethically okay. Go for it!! You’ll probably add joy to the lives of happy people who see your happy dogs. Re getting caught… if you’re smart about it (go early, keep an eye out, have dogs that come when you call them, and can run faster than the rangers) - getting caught is very unlikely but it is an expensive risk. Most locals are happy to see and pat well behaved dogs on the beach. Ignore the occasional grumpy bossy boots.’’
Others replied:
‘’Go out early, before 7 and you’ll be fine. Bilgola also a nice spot. Many walking their dogs peacefully there at sunrise.’’
Another:
‘’Go for it or Bilgola [which] has a lot of dogs off lead any time of day, they love it there.’’
Another:
‘’Paradise Beach as well – heaps of dogs offleash there all the time and heaps of dog poo.’’
Another advised:
‘’Rangers only do day shifts. 7am starts. Walk your dog - it should get to enjoy all the things you enjoy. I take my dog spear fishing all the time. You don’t have to like my dog. Just understand that she comes to the beach just like you.’’
The obverses was:
‘’Responsible dog owners will not walk their dog(s) anywhere they are prohibited, entitled unresponsible owners, well that’s a different story.
‘’ One has to wonder if this post was set up to deliberately disrupt the community and bring out extreme views. Most sensible dog owners respect the rules and most non-dog owners don’t hate dogs. The rules exist so no dog 💩Image is on the beach, a reasonable community expectation enforced by council. This post has to be a joke.’’
‘’I lived in a city (Amsterdam) where dogs pooped EVERYWHERE. Pavements, parks, other public places. It was truly dreadful, particularly if you had kids. This was the result of lenient enforcement. Dogs were meant to poop in the gutter, but of course they ended up pooping everywhere, and things got out of hand. They fixed the problem, you guessed it, by introducing limited dog zones and enforcing significant fines for non-compliance. So the problem is that if you allow people to get away with walking their dogs in dog-free zones, we very quickly will end up in an Amsterdam-like poop-hole. You have the right to own and enjoy a dog. That right comes with a responsibility to the community: don’t take your dog into dog-free areas. By the way, it’s not just about poop. My granddaughter was snapped at by a very nervy dog down at Avalon Pool the other day. Dog was off the leash, and shouldn’t have been there anyway. We all live together in this community. I’m delighted you have a dog to enjoy, but please don’t overstep the very sensible laws that have been put in place.’’
This last response records the council still hasn’t been able to stop people taking dogs offleash near where they will snap at small children – as occurred in January 2026 – at the only pool for small children in Pittwater.
See January 2926 report: Toddler attacked by Offleash dog on way to Avalon Beach Children’s Pool – Owner verbally abuses mother, runs away: Residents state dogs are offleash in all Public Spaces - NBC LGA has record Number of Reported Dog Attacks
Residents who don’t feel entitled to do what suits them anywhere at any time, continue to state:
‘’this epitomises the disregard for the laws and the safety and security of others the Northern Beaches Council has helped produce and ignores the reason these laws were enacted’’.
See June 2026 report: Posties face growing danger as dog incidents reach nine a day: Residents Growing Frustration with 'Entitled ones'
Wallaby on the central North Palm Beach dunes trail - another spot popular with those to whom the laws of NSW do not apply. Photo supplied
Dog Extension trial Consultation closes Sunday July 26
Residents can provide their feedback on the proposed '12 month extension' of dogs offleash on Mona Vale Beach until Sunday July 26 at: yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/proposed-dog-off-leash-areas
Under the NSW Companion Animals Act, councils are responsible for monitoring dangerous and menacing dogs within the community as well as ensuring everyone has access to safety in public spaces, particularly areas that are not offleash ones for dogs.
Residents can report aggressive dog behaviour, including incidents not resulting in injury such as charging or chasing.
Penalties range from fines of $1,320 if a dog rushes at or chases a person or animal, to fines of up to $22,000 if an attack results in serious injury or loss of life.
The current 2025-2026 data for the Northern Beaches Council recorded with the NSW Office of Local Government has recorded 115 dog attacks reported in the first two quarters. Of this 62 are on animals.
2025-2026 dog attack data 1 July 2025 to 30 September 2025:
Northern Beaches Council had:
- Total dog attack incidents reported 58
- No of people involved in serious attacks 11
- No of people involved in less serious attacks 22
- Total number of people attacked 33
- Total animals attacked 32
- Registered dogs in the LGA 78,445
Dog attack incidents reported from 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025 (2nd Quarter 2025/26):
Northern Beaches Council:
- Total dog attack incidents reported: 57
- No of people involved in serious attacks: 11
- No of people involved in less serious attacks: 24
- Total number of people attacked: 35
- Total animals attacked: 30
- Number of Microchipped dogs in LGA: 78,784
The previous year, the Dog Attack Statistics July 2024 to June 2025 recorded 247 attacks reported to the Northern Beaches Council for year
The data recorded states 45 of these were serious attacks on people, requiring hospitalisation or medical treatment.
The same data recorded 146 animals were attacked in the NBC LGA during the July 2024 to June 2025 quarters, not other dogs, other animals.
Across NSW the data recorded the deaths of 1204 animals through dog attacks from July to June 2024/25.
It’s important to note the OLG data lists ‘reported’ dog attacks as not all residents report these to the council. The 'animals attacked' in the OLG data usually refers to other dogs and livestock - such as people's backyard chickens in Narrabeen, Warriewood and Ingleside.
The data for both the January to March 2026 and April to June 2026 for the Northern Beaches Council area is not available yet.
Let Council Know
The council encourages residents who have been attacked by a dog to contact them immediately, not simply lodge a report.
If the matter is urgent or dangerous call Council on 1300 434 434 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
If you find injured wildlife please contact:
- Sydney Wildlife Rescue: (24/7): 9413 4300
- WIRES: 1300 094 737
