Dog owners in an eastern Victoria region will be forced to put their pets back on a lead more often, even in some designated off-leash areas, under new council rules. 

Baw Baw Shire Council, which covers about 70 localities and suburbs east of Melbourne, previously allowed dogs to roam freely under strict supervision in off-leash zones.

However, a new Dog Control Order came into effect on Tuesday, requiring pets to be ‘brought under effective control’ and kept on a lead. 

The rule applies to dogs when they come within 20m of organised sporting events, public meetings, or children’s play and exercise equipment areas.

Permanent barbecue or picnic areas are also included under the order unless they are fenced off from dogs.

Rules in designated on-leash areas remain unchanged but, surprisingly, owners may be required to put their dogs back on a lead inside fenced dog parks if they are too close to spaces that require increased supervision.

For example, St Phillack Reserve in Rawson was an off-lead area but has become an on-leash space under the new rules due to its proximity to an unfenced children’s playground. 

Penalties for those who break the rule could include a written warning, infringement notice or even a court appearance, depending on the severity. 

Some Victorian dog owners will be required to keep their pets on a lead more often, including in some designated off-leash areas, under new council rules (stock image) 

Dogs must now be ‘brought under effective control’ and placed on a lead when they come within 20 metres of organised sporting events, public meetings, or children’s play and exercise equipment areas 

Baw Baw Council infrastructure and environment services director James Robinson told Yahoo News the rule changes were introduced to improve public safety.

‘The owner has the ultimate responsibility for a dog when it is in an off-leash area, and the proximity that an owner must remain would depend on the dog, environment and situation,’ he said.

‘Council takes pet ownership seriously and expects the same of its community.’

Mr Robinson also explained the reasoning behind St Phillack Reserve’s change of status. 

‘It was too close to an unfenced children’s playground and posed an unacceptable risk to public safety,’ Mr Robinson said.

‘Residents can access a nearby off-leash area at Dunstan Reserve in Rawson.’

Although some off-leash parks include seats or benches, Mr Robinson said the rule didn’t apply just because those facilities were present. 

‘The seating in the park is for dog owners to use when exercising their dogs in the designated off-leash area,’ he said.

‘However, the dog owner has ultimate responsibility for a dog in this space and must consider the environment, (the) situation and (the) dog’s behaviour.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Baw Baw Council for comment.