Dogs in Parks

The following are key regulations around dog off-leash in Hume.

Under Victorian law:

• all dogs must be registered with Council
• all dog litter must be collected and disposed of correctly by the dog owner.

Dogs must be on-leash in most parts of Hume

The person in apparent control of a dog must keep the dog attached to a leash held by means of a chain, cord or lead, in any public place within the Council’s municipal boundaries, unless the dog is in a designated off-leash area or Council has granted permission for an off-leash activity to take place, such as for dog obedience club activities, dog show or the like.

Leashes must not be longer than 2 metres, and sufficient to control and restrain the dog.

Dog owners must adhere to the following:

• dog off-leash areas adjacent to schools will revert to dog on-leash areas during the hours of 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday on school days;
• dogs must not be tied up within 10 metres of a school or preschool entry;
• dogs must not be tied up near a pathway such that they can encroach onto the pathway;
• dog owners to carry a receptacle for the effective removal of any excrement left by their dog and pickup and appropriately dispose of any excrement left by their dog;

Dogs in Off-leash Areas

A dog may be exercised off a leash in a designated off-leash area provided the person in apparent control of the dog:

• carries a leash, one for each dog, sufficient to bring the dog under effective control;
• complies with any site-specific rules or regulations, including time restrictions and regulations associated with fenced off-leash areas;
• remains in effective voice control or hand control and within consistent sight of the dog at all times;
• does not allow the dog to worry, cause a nuisance or threaten any person or animal.

If a dog is off-leash in a designated off-leash area, the dog must be brought under effective control by means of a leash if the dog is within 10 metres of:

• a car park or roadway;
• outdoor exercise equipment;
• formal picnic facilities, including BBQ facilities or a permanent picnic shelter, even if these facilities are in a designated dog off-leash area;
• formal sporting competition or training events;
• a shared footpath or trail, nor impede other people
• a school or preschool boundary;
• wetlands or a water body;
• a market or community event e.g. festival, fun run;

if a dog is in a designated off-leash area, the dog must be brought under effective control by means of a leash within 50 metres of:

• a playspace or playground
• BMX/skate facility or similar.

Dog Prohibited Areas

Dogs are not allowed:

• in ‘dogs prohibited’ areas;
• on sportsfields unless the sportsfield is a designated dog off-leash area;
• to enter any water body;
• within the boundary of a playspace, BMX/skate facility, or similar facility;
• to rush at, attack, bite, worry or chase wildlife.

There are further regulations around pets, registration and dog litter in the Hume City General Purpose Local Law No. 1 2023(PDF, 385KB) and the Victorian Domestic Animals Act 1994.

By law, all dogs must be registered with Council.

Don’t forget to bring:

• a leash for each dog
• their collar with registration tag
• bags for dog litter
• drinking water

Even though we strive to provide water and bags at key sites, they aren't everywhere and bags can run out! Remember you can still be fined if you don't have a bag.

There are a number of public places where dogs are not allowed:

• in ‘dogs prohibited’ areas;
• on sportsfields unless the sportsfield is a designated dog off-leash area;
• to enter any water body;
• within the boundary of a playspace, BMX/skate facility, or similar facility;
• to rush at, attack, bite, worry or chase wildlife.

The sites listed below are dog prohibited areas to protect environmental or cultural values.

View the list of dogs prohibited areas (with maps)(PDF, 9MB).

Designated dogs off-leash areas are public places where dogs are permitted to be off their leash, if dog owners have effective control of their dogs and abide by relevant rules and regulations.

There are 42 reserves with designated dogs off-leash areas across Hume City. Most are only a portion of the reserve, check the maps below to see where dogs are permitted off-leash.

You can also view maps of dogs off-leash areas(PDF, 32MB). 

Hume has five fenced off-leash areas, with another on the way. These are located in the following reserves:

A temporary fenced off-leash area for Kalkallo has been provided on the corner of Dwyer Street and Donnybrook Road.

All the same rules apply in fenced off-leash areas as elsewhere: dogs must be actively supervised, under effective control and come immediately when called.

Other considerations:

• Maximum of two dogs per person
• Dogs must be six months or older
• Dogs must be fully vaccinated
• Aggressive dogs are not welcome
• Children under five are not permitted
• Children under 14 are not allowed to supervise dogs
• No chokers or spiked collars
• No toys or rough handling
• No food in dog parks, training treats excepted
• The owner must carry a leash, one for each dog under their control
• Owners must clean up and place faeces and any other rubbish in the bins provided

Owners and supervisors of dogs are legally responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dogs.