More than 380 people signed a petition in support of additional off-leash dog parks. 

“It came out in council’s regular email newsletter they were thinking about it,” Petcarers proprietor Sharon Moore said.

“In order to help push this along and show we’ve got a lot of public support out there we put out a petition.”

Petcarers left forms in Bendigo veterinary clinics and pet-related businesses in February and collected them last week. 

“We got fantastic feedback,” Ms Moore said.

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Signatories wrote that more off-leash dog parks were much needed in the City of Greater Bendigo.

Harcourt Park is the sole designated dog park in the municipality.

The 3.7 hectare site in Strathdale is fenced and contains a walking track, four small dams and a creek. 

Council lists 15 other parks and reserves on its website suitable for dogs to be let off their leads. 

But Ms Moore said there were many advantages to having a place especially for dogs to exercise and socialise, including pet safety. 

She said people with energetic dogs might not feel confident in letting them go in an unfenced public space.

“It will help with behavioural issues, with barking at night, and it gets people out into their communities and talking to each other,” she said.

Council will consider a proposal to develop two new dog parks as it finalises its draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2016-2020.

The draft, presented to council in November, includes in-principle support for the idea.

Acting Director Planning and Development Andy Walker said people living in small house lots needed space to exercise their dogs responsibly.

The email Ms Moore saw coincided with a period of public consultation, which formally ended in December.

Mr Walker said the draft did not make any recommendations about the location of any new parks.

“The final plan will be presented to Council for adoption in the coming months,” he said.

“This will be accompanied by an analysis of available land which could be used for dog parks, including sites identified by the community, with costing options.

“Residents in areas where dog parks may be considered will be consulted prior the Plan going to Council for adoption.”