Friday, 12 October 2018

Victorians and their four-legged friends will have new places to stretch their legs and enjoy the outdoors, with a re-elected Andrews Labor Government to invest $5 million to build up to 15 new off-leash dog parks across Melbourne.

Pets are a part of the Australian way of life, with pet ownership shown to benefit our physical and mental health.

The Andrews Labor Government banned puppy farms and gave renters the right to keep a pet with landmark rental reform laws, and only Labor will make sure dog owners have somewhere they can exercise their pets safely.

Broadmeadows MP Frank McGuire has welcomed the Premier’s promise that a re-elected Labor Government will identify under-utilised parks or reserves suitable for an enclosed dog park in 12 municipal councils including the City of Hume.

More than one in three Victorians own a dog and with more people choosing to live in apartments or units without a backyard, dog parks provide a place where they can get outdoors, socialise and exercise their pets.

Only Labor will deliver 15 new dog parks across Melbourne to make sure dog owners have somewhere to enjoy the outdoors safely with their pet.

Mr McGuire also presented $200,000 to Second Chance Community Animal Hospital in Campbellfield, offering Hume pet owners affordable or free health care for their animals, under the $30 million Andrews Government’s ground-breaking program that gives local people the power to “Pick My Project.”

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“More dog parks mean more open spaces for families and their pets to enjoy, close to home.”

“We said we’d ban puppy farming in Victoria and give renters the right to keep a pet, and we have.”

“Only Labor can be trusted to deliver the animal welfare reforms needed to keep our family pets and animals safe, happy and healthy.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment Lily D’Ambrosio

“Dogs aren’t just pets, they’re like family members, and only Labor will make sure people have somewhere they can enjoy getting outdoors and letting their dog off-leash safely with 15 new dog parks across Melbourne.”

GeneralMedia Release