January 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 650

 

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

Avalon Beach rockpool

Residents have become increasingly frustrated with the council’s inability to control dog owners taking their dogs offleash into all public spaces across Pittwater and in every other place south to Manly, pointing out it is a requirement under NSW Law for dogs to be onleash in public spaces.

Locals state this has become a huge problem and there is nowhere anyone can go at present without finding dogs offleash in public spaces and that the council needs to increase their rangers tenfold and hand out fines to send a clear message that breaking the law has consequences as simply issuing warnings are clearly no deterrent.

On January 14 2026 at 9.20 a.m. a Pittwater Online staff member was at south Avalon Beach and witnessed a dog offleash, 10 metres behind its owner who was not even watching it, nip at a toddler walking beside his pram and 5 year-old sister, down to Avalon Beach children’s pool. The owner came back long enough to verbally abuse the mother and then continued, with the dog still at least 10-20 metres behind him as he headed towards the busy main Barrenjoey road, and still offleash.

It was one of 4 dogs seen offleash at the same area within half-an-hour, and among numerous dogs, on leads, being taken down to the children’s pool area, one of the few safe pools parents can take little children to cool off.

Other dogs were seen, offleash, on the beach as well.

Other witnesses reported the incident to the council and the news service forwarded photos of the dog and owner to the council, as requested. 

This mum and her two youngsters were among a stream of mums and youngsters heading down to the Avalon rockpool that morning. All were assuming the children’s pool would be a safe place to take littlies to cool off and play.

Dogs offleash are now seen on every beach along the peninsula, chasing birds and wildlife, excreting and urinating, including at the approved by the council ‘trial’ offleash area at the south end of Mona Vale beach. Footage of people taking their dogs offleash into the north end of Mona Vale beach from there, and from the north end itself, has been forwarded to the news service numerous times since the ‘trial’ commenced, including two dogs rushing, offleash, at toddlers at Mona Vale basin, another previously ‘safe’ for littlies area.

See: Northern Beaches Council recommends allowing dogs offleash on Mona Vale Beach - August 2025

Australia Post Dog Attack Warning as Christmas Runs Begin - deliveries to a property or street will Cease if a Postie is threatened or injured by an aggressive dog - 2024-2025 Dog Attack Statistics for NSW Not Released + South Australia's Tougher Penalties for Dog Attacks Begin - November 2025

On January 16 2026 at 6.15am a swamp wallaby, clearly terrified and highly distressed, was filmed racing from Collaroy to Narrabeen on the beach, as though trying to get away from something chasing it. At one stage those filming it drove it into the surf, where an incoming wave toppled the poor creature before it recovered and raced further north.

screenshots from videos

Wallabies have been photographed at Palm Beach an across Pittwater.

Narrabeen and Collaroy beaches, and even the Aquatic Reserve at Long Reef, are places where dogs are seen offleash on the beach every single day. A resident has also stated they saw two swamp wallabies at Long Reef-Dee Why the day before the one fleeing something, on Narrabeen beach, was filmed.

Macropods (kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons) can die from extreme muscle stress, a condition commonly referred to as Capture Myopathy, Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, or Stress Myopathy. It is a serious, often fatal metabolic reaction caused by intense fear, pursuit, handling, or physical exertion that leads to severe muscle damage and, in many cases, organ failure. 

Dog Attack Statistics July 2024 to June 2025 finally released: 247 attacks reported in NBC LGA for Year

Over the Christmas break the data for dog attacks that have been reported in the NBC LGA were finally released showing the July 2024 to June 2025 is 247, exceeding previous data totals and even the Central Coast Council LGA, which had a total of 195 recorded dog attacks has three times as many registered dogs. 

The data recorded states 45 of these were serious attacks on people on the northern beaches, requiring hospitalisation or medical treatment.

The same data records 146 animals were attacked during the July 2024 to June 2025 quarters.

Overall NSW recorded the deaths of 1204 animals through these being attacked by dogs from July to June 2024/25.   

The council continues to encourage people to report dogs offleash where they shouldn’t be.

When a dog has or is attacking residents or other animals residents are urged to telephone, immediately, on 1300 434 434 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

If the attack happened outside local council hours, you may call your local police station. Police officers are also authorised officers under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Authorised officers have a wide range of powers to deal with owners of attacking dogs, including seizing dogs that have attacked.

You can report dog attacks, along with dogs offleash where they should not be, to the NBC anonymously and via your own name, to get a response, at: https://help.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/s/submit-request?topic=Pets_Animals

Although this number is on the rise people continue to point out this is only the number reported as many go unreported. 

The data for the July 2025 to December 2025 Quarters is not available yet.

Dog Attack Data Records By Quarter

1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024 (1st Quarter 2024/25)

Northern Beaches Council 

  • total number of attacks recorded 53 
  • No of people involved in serious attacks 5 
  • No of people involved in less serious attacks 15 
  • Total animals attacked  39 

Registered dogs 74,025

Compare Central Coast Council

  • total number of attacks recorded 58 

CCC Registered dogs 162,490

1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 (2nd Quarter 2024/25)

Northern Beaches Council 

  • Total number of attacks recorded 73 
  • No of people involved in serious attacks 13 
  • No of people involved in less serious attacks 33 
  • Total animals attacked  44

Compare Central Coast Council

  • total number of attacks recorded 41 

Registered dogs in CC LGA rose: 163,466

1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025 (3rd Quarter 2024/25)

Northern Beaches Council 

  • Total dog attack incidents reported  67 
  • No of people involved in serious attacks 14 
  • No of people involved in less serious attacks 27 
  • Total number of people attacked 41 
  • Total animals attacked 35 

Number of Microchipped dogs 77,373

Compare Central Coast Council

  • Total dog attack incidents reported 43 

1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025 (4th Quarter 2024/25)

Northern Beaches Council 

  • Total dog attack incidents reported 54 
  • No of people involved in serious attacks 13 
  • No of people involved in less serious attacks 22 
  • Total number of people attacked 35 
  • Total animals attacked 28 

Number of Microchipped dogs in LGA 77,896

Central Coast Council 

Total dog attack incidents reported 53 

NSW Police have reported numerous dog attacks on young children and adults from December to January period.

On Saturday January 24 NSW Police reported finding $90,000 cash and drugs during the arrest of a man whose dog allegedly attacked a pre-schooler at a park in the state’s south yesterday.

Officers attached to Murray River Police District were at a skate park on Blair Street, Moama, about 5.10pm yesterday (Friday 23 January 2026), when a large dog escaped a parked ute and attacked a three-year-old boy.

Police and bystanders separated the dog from the child, however, when it continued to be aggressive a male senior constable discharged his firearm, striking the dog.

A 35-year-old man, alleged to be the dog’s owner, took the dog and returned to his ute before driving away.

The child was taken to Echuca Hospital for treatment.

Following inquiries, police stopped a sedan about 6.30pm on the same street and arrested the man. When the sedan was searched, police allegedly located more than $92,000 cash and cannabis. Checks revealed his South Australian driver’s licence had expired in 2014.

The man was taken to Moama Police Station and charged with nine offences.

About 7.30pm, police and council rangers located a 42-year-old woman walking the dog allegedly involved in the attack on Chanter Street, Moama. Following inquiries the woman was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug and is due to appear at Moama Local Court on Thursday 2 April 2026. The dog has been seized by council rangers.

Critically Endangered Hooded Plover Chicks Killed on Victorian Beaches

On Tuesday 20 January 2026 at 11:30 am the Victorian Conservation Regulator and Crime Stoppers Victoria were appealing for information following the deaths of four hooded plover chicks at Fairhaven and Ocean Grove.

Hooded plovers (Thinornis cucullatus) are a highly threatened coastal species, classified as Critically Endangered in New South Wales with a population of only about 65 birds. However, the NSW Government still allows people to take dogs on beaches where they nest and raise chicks under its current laws, albeit they are required to be on leads.

Hooded Plovers, a breeding pair. Photo: Benjamint444 -

While listed as vulnerable nationally (approx. 3,000 in SE Australia), they face severe threats from human activity, vehicles, and predators (dogs, foxes, cats) during their summer breeding season (Aug-March). 

Roped off exclusion zones are in place at both these Victorian beaches to protect local populations of the threatened species.

The Conservation Regulator is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three chicks at Ocean Grove in December.

The deaths followed community reports of dogs chasing hooded plover chicks on December 10 and December 18, inside an exclusion zone.

An investigation is also underway into the death of a hooded plover chick after a reported dog attack at Fairhaven.

The deceased chick was found alongside dog pawprints, human footprints and disturbed sand, directly under signage stating ‘No Dogs’, inside an exclusion zone.

The chick appeared to have suffered a broken neck and a puncture wound. Investigators are looking into a report that the bird was attacked by a dog just after 10am on December 23.

Witnesses to the dog attacks are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report via crimestoppers.vic.gov.au.

Under the Wildlife Act 1975, allowing a dog to hunt, take or destroy a threatened species is a crime, with the maximum penalty being two years in prison and a fine of more than $48,800.

Conservation Regulator Forest and Wildlife Officer Monique Cugliari said on Tuesday, January 20:

“The recent dog attacks emphasis how vulnerable and defenceless hooded plover chicks are – they can’t escape from threats like dogs, as they’re too young to fly.”

“We’re appealing for help from the public to identify the owners of these dogs. Significant penalties apply for individuals whose dogs attack or chase hooded plovers.”

Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria Stella Smith stated:

"If you know anything about these incidents or suspect other wildlife crime, you can tell Crime Stoppers what you know, anonymously, online or call us on 1800 333 000."

Hooded plover nests are simple, shallow scrapes on sandy beaches, easily disturbed or destroyed by people, dogs, and vehicles. Without intervention, chicks have a very low chance of survival.

Current key protection measures include leashing dogs, using designated beach walkways, avoiding nesting areas (often marked by signs), and keeping away from fenced-off areas. 

Residents in the U.K. have told the news service both dogs and people are banned from areas where it is known shore birds nest, for the full breeding season - around six months. 

Residents have stated the same should apply here, not just for wildlife, all wildlife - even that not listed as almost extinct - but for families taking their youngsters to the only Children's rock Pool Pittwater has, or any beach across the LGA. 

Knowledge from the past records:

KANGAROO'S SWIM FOR LIFE 

An "old man" kangaroo found fighting desperately for his life in the surf at Mona Vale on Monday afternoon was assisted ashore by bathers, only to be attacked immediately by dogs. The dogs were beaten off by surfers, and the kangaroo hopped unsteadily into the bush and disappeared. 

For more than a quarter of an hour those on the beach could not make out what it was bobbing up and down with a peculiar motion in the far line of breakers. As it drew nearer it was identified, and the sight was so unusual that soon a crowd was assembled on the edge of the water to watch its progress. This nearly proved the kangaroo's undoing. Becoming aware of his "gallery," he stopped in fright, and was in danger of drowning. 

Bathers went out, however, and eventually persuaded him to continue towards the shore. 

He was too exhausted adequately to deal with the dogs which immediately attacked him. The surfers again had to come to his assistance before he escaped to the security of the bush. 

It was suggested by a bushman that the kangaroo might have been chased from his usual haunts by dogs, and when cornered on the seashore jumped into the water as a last desperate resort. KANGAROO'S SWIM FOR LIFE. (1940, October 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17707829 

The Grey Kangaroo
By ALAN MARSHALL
Of Caulfield

She knew the old prospector. From a cleared patch on the hillside she often noticed him wash-ins for gold in the creek that ran through the valley. 
   Sometimes he stopped his swirling and sat on the bank Watching her while he filled his pipe. 
   He had known her for two years. She was his friend. She was smaller than her companions, and differed from them in color. She was grey; they were almost black — "Scrubbers," the old man called them. 
Each morning the creaking of his cart as he followed the winding track round the mountain side, would cause them, to stand erect for a moment, nostrils twitching. 
   But they did not fear him. He was one with the carol of the magpies and the gums. 
When his "Whoa there !" stayed the old black horse, they knew he only wished to look at them. They continued feeding. Their movements were like music — rhythmical— an undulating rise and fall of symmetrical bodies against a background of slender trees. 
   Occasionally they stopped and, sitting upright, looked back at him, a look of intense interest, of watchfulness. 
Their flanks, wet with the dew from sweet-smelling leaves, glistened in the morning sun. They seemed like children of the trees. 
   There was a day when the old prospector approached within a few yards of the grey kangaroo. She awaited his coming, standing with head extended, eyes half-closed, nostrils working with curiosity. He remained motionless, and they regarded each other. 
   She turned and hopped slowly away from him. She moved with grace and dignity, despite her burden. She carried a Joey. 

A MILE from the spot where the old prospector worked, two boys were cutting timber. Their axe heads glittered in the sun. When for a moment the eager steel poised motionless above their heads, the muscles on their uncovered backs stood out in little, smooth, brown hills. Their skin had the unblemished gloss of egg shells. 
   Beside the log on which they worked lay a blue kangaroo dog. His powerful, rib-lined chest rose and fell. His narrow loins had the delicacy of a stem. Suddenly lie lifted his head and, turning, bit at the smooth hair on his shoulder to ease an irritation. His lips, pushed up and back, revealed red gums and the smooth, Ivory daggers of his teeth. He snuffled and worked his jaws. His jowls flowed with saliva. He expelled a deep breath and lay back again. Files hovered Over his head. He snapped and moved restlessly. 
   The boys called him Springer — Springer, the killer. In the shade from surrounding trees lay other dogs. They formed a pack, the existence of which was due to the boys' love of hunting. They had no beauty of line, as had Springer. They were a rabble. They barked at nights and howled at the moon. They ran down rabbits with savage joy and, in the pack, were relentless in their pursuit. They looked to Springer to bring down the larger game. They were content to be in at the kill. 
   One of them, Boofer, a half-bred sheep dog, rose and stretched herself. She yawned with a whine and walked into the sunlight. She stood there a moment meditatively. She looked back over her shoulder. A flying chip fell beside her. She sniffed It. She was bored. She turned and trotted off among the trees.

SOME time later her excited barking caused the other dogs to jump to their feet They stood with their necks erect, their heads moving alertly from side to side.
   Boofer tore past, some distance away, running at speed, her nose to the ground. The dogs yelped with delight and, scattering dry gum leaves and crashing through scrub, sped after her. 
The boys stopped work and watched. 
   "There they are up on the hill !" cried one. "Look, quick, look !" 
He pointed. 
He put two fingers to his mouth and whistled shrilly. 
   Springer, having disregarded the yelping of the pack, leaped to his feet at the sound, as to a clarion call. 
He sprang forward with short, stiff bounds, craning his neck as if to see over obstacles. He stopped and grew tense, one forefoot raised in the air. His panting had ceased. He looked eagerly from side to side. 
   The boy who had whistled jumped from the log. He ran to the blue dog and, grasping his head between his hands, half lifted him from the ground. The dog's neck was stretched and rolls of skin half closed his eyes. 
   "See 'em. See 'em," he whispered excitedly.
   But no responsive quickening of muscle stirred the dog. The boy ran forward dragging Springer with him. 
Then Springer saw. With a mighty bound he parted the boy's hands. He leaped with a terrific releasing of energy, doubling like a spring until, having attained speed, he moved with effortless beauty. 
The boy sprang again to the log. He stood with his lips slightly parted, eyes wide, his hands clenched by his sides. 
"Boy!" he breathed to his companion. ''Look at him!''

UPON the hillside the mob of  kangaroos had heard the yapping of Boofer on their trail. The little grey kangaroo lifted her head quickly. For a long, tense moment she stood in frozen immobility looking down into the valley. Her joey, nibbling at the grass some distance from her, jumped in sudden panic and made for his mother with single-purposed speed. With her paws she held her pouch open like a sugar bag. He tumbled in headlong, his kicking legs projecting a moment before he disappeared. 
   How safe he felt in there: how secure from dogs with teeth and men with guns. His little heart, swift-beating at the excited barking of the pack, became even and content. He turned and his head popped forth with childish curiosity. 
   His mother was already on the move. The does were in haste; the old men were more leisured. 
With a clamor the pack broke through the trees. Ahead of them like the point of a spear, Springer ran silently. 
   The kangaroos leaped into frantic speed, but before they had gained their top, Springer was among them and they scattered wildly. Perhaps It was because of her conspicuous color, perhaps because she was so very small, the kangaroo dog singled her out from her companions and set after her relentlessly. 
And, recognising his leadership, the pack followed, eagerly, joyfully, the hills echoing their exultation. 

SHE had intended making up the hill to thicker timber, but, as if suddenly realising her desperate plight, and the heavy responsibilities of motherhood, she turned her flight towards the old prospector. 
   Through the fragrant hazel, past the mottled silver-wattles, by sad tree ferns and across chip-strewn clearings she sped; and behind her Springer cleared as she the fallen trunks, the scattered limbs, swerved as she did from the pointed stakes, flew wombat holes and trickling water courses with equal ease. He rode the air like Death Itself.
   The clutch of some mimosa hampered the grey kangaroo. She lost ground. The blue dog gathered himself and sprang, but the rough takeoff spoiled his leap and he wobbled in mid-air. His teeth closed on the skin; of her shoulder, his body struck her. She staggered and collided with a sapling. The dog shot past her, scat-ring! the moist earth with tearing feet. 
   With heroic endeavor the grey kangaroo recovered her balance, and in a violent, concentrated effort, she drew away from the dog, a tattered banner of red skin draggling from her naked shoulder. 
She made for some crowded gum suckers. They brushed her as she passed. With a swift and desperate movement she tore her Joey from her pouch and flung him, almost without loss of speed, into their shelter. She turned at right angles, leading the blue dog away from him. 
   The joey, staggered to his feet and hopped away distractedly. But the following pack, with triumphant cries, bore down on him. He gave one helpless glance back at them and tried to flee. They swept over him like a wind. He was lost in their midst ...
   Their howl of triumph reached the little grey mother as she strained ahead of Springer, the killer. Their unleashed savagery, fleeing from them in bloody glee, broke upon her in waves. 

THE old prospector heard it, too, and dropping his dish, he clambered in clumsy haste from the creek. When his head and shoulders appeared over the bank, he stopped a moment with dazes eyes and open mouth watching the approach of the grey kangaroo and her pursuer. 
   He raised himself swiftly and ran towards them. His eyes were wide open, distraught. He raised his himself in the air and cried, hoarsely, "Come be'ind 'ere! Come be'ind 'ere!" 
When the grey kangaroo reached the clearing she was all but spent. The blue dog, with mouth open and silken strands of saliva blowing free raced behind her across a patch of fern; was but a length away when with painful bounds, she reached the cool sweetness of young grass.
   He made a last, terrific burst. He left the ground with all the glorious energy of a skin-clad dancer, his body modelled in clean curves of muscle. His teeth locked deep in her shoulder. His hurtling body seemed to arrest In speed as if suddenly braked. He met the ground stiff-legged and taut.

THE grey kangaroo, her head jerked downwards, spun in the air. She turned completely over. Her long tail whipped in a circle above her head. She landed with a dull crash on her back. Before the shock of her falling had released her breath, Springer was at her throat. With demoniac savagery he tore at. the soft, warm fur. With braced forelegs and tail erect, he shook her in a frenzy. 
   She kicked helplessly. 
   He sprang back, keyed for further conflict. 
   Her front paws, like little hands, quivered in unconscious supplication. She relaxed, sinking closer to the earth as to a mother.
He turned and walked away, her, panting, with red drops dripping from his running tongue. 
With half-closed eyes he watched the old prospector running towards them, his heavy, wet boots flop-flopping on the grass

TODAY'S SHORT STORY (1939, June 15). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 46. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243469413