Council
7 January, 2025
Petition paws for thought
Over 16,000 people have signed a petition asking Moreton Bay Council to amend and revise its most recent laws and guidelines surrounding homelessness and pet ownership, announced less than two weeks before Christmas.
The Person’s Experiencing Homelessness Camping Framework, decided at a Council meeting on December 12, includes prohibiting the keeping of animals by all people camping in Council’s public spaces, and a change to the guidelines around public space camping in caravans, camper trailers, and other vehicles equipped for the purposes of camping.
The petition, started by resident Stephen Bartholomew, is asking Council to consider two amendments, as “the new regulations have neglected to recognise the significance of pets to homeless individuals, for emotional support and companionship, while also dismissing the reality of individuals residing in vehicles.”
These amendments include:
Permit pets to accompany homeless persons in public spaces, subjected to certain guidelines: lead restrictions of a maximum length of two meters and compulsory cleanup by pet owners after their companions. Those that do not comply will then be issued enforcement actions.
Homeless persons registered with relevant agencies, including Queensland Department of Housing, and immediate homeless response teams, can continue to live within their vehicles, which offers them security and safety, which a tent setup may not offer them. Those that do not comply will then be issued enforcement actions.
The petition raised over 10,000 signatures in less than 72 hours, with community members expressing their “disgust” and “disapproval.”
“I can’t believe something like this would actually pass. The utter lack of compassion and humanity is despicable,” Emily wrote.
Another couple, Ella and Wade, called the laws “heartless” saying they “lack any measure of compassion or empathetic understanding.”
Others pointed out that many homeless people rely on their pets to keep going or are homeless due to not getting rentals because of pets, as well as questioning where Council intends to place animals seized, as “shelters are full.”
A Council spokesperson told The Sentinel they have received ongoing community feedback about increased illegal behaviour in public spaces and have taken this measure to ensure public safety.
“Prohibiting the keeping of animals by all people camping in Council’s public spaces is due to the public safety risks of animals not being kept under effective control,” they said.
“This is consistent with our local laws for all members of our community. All animals in public spaces must be kept under effective control at all times.”
The spokesperson added that people experiencing homelessness can remain in public places if they comply with Council guidelines, including responsibilities such as not obstructing access by community members and Council officers, not conducting illegal behaviour, keeping the area clean, safe, and tidy, and not keeping an animal in a public space.
“People using caravans and campers should use caravan parks or national parks,” they said.
“There are approximately 200 people experiencing homelessness staying in Council-controlled public spaces, and around 30 dogs.
“The Queensland Government is responsible for providing safe and appropriate housing.”
Following the Council decision on 12 December, a number of Councillors have since met with state and federal government representatives to discuss crisis housing solutions in Moreton Bay.
Council is calling on the State Government to: provide homes for those that are sleeping rough, increase law enforcement activities to remove people compromising the safety of the community, and provide flexibility in policies to allow caravan parks to extend stays.
State Member for Pumicestone, Ariana Doolan, added on social media that “no dogs are being seized if they are effectively under control, restrained, and nonviolent” and that “no fines have been issued; rangers are distributing letters of compliance.”
Moreton Bay Council will respond to petitions to Council as outlined at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Council/Governance/Petition-Council
Council did not respond to The Sentinel’s questions regarding possible amendments to the new laws, community backlash, statistics of incidents involving homeless people’s pets, and where Council would keep seized animals if shelters are at capacity.
