A piece of furry good news for dog owners! The three-month trial allowing dogs on Brisbane ferries has officially begun Monday, December 9.
Following a survey that had over 5,000 responses, of which 86 percent said “yes” to the trial, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced that dogs will be permitted to travel on CityCats, under certain conditions, from Monday to Friday during off-peak times and all weekend.
“This is something Brisbane residents and visitors have wanted to try for a while,” Mr Bailey said while making the announcement at Teneriffe with the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ).
“We’ve seen dogs allowed on public transport in cities across the world, including Sydney and Melbourne, so why not give it a go right here in Brisbane.”
“We believe the dogs on ferries trial is steering Brisbane towards pet-friendly policies of the like seen across other major cities in the world,” RSPCA QLD spokesperson Michael Beatty said, who also encouraged people to provide feedback on the terms and conditions of the trial.
“We understand there is a degree of anxiety from a small group and that is why muzzles are part of the trial, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all.
“For many dogs and their owners, this will be the first time travelling via ferry, so we’re introducing a number of conditions to make sure everyone is safe when they travel,” Mr Bailey said.
“This is about making sure we get the right balance between comfort and safety for commuters while making sure there is space for dogs on ferries too.
“We’ll evaluate these conditions of travel as part of the trial.”
Pet owners, however, need to make sure that they only have two dogs per handler and that they carry waste bags and clean up after the dog. All waste should be taken off the vessel and not put in vessel bins or left on board.
Also, the dog should remain under control at all times so as not to disturb other passengers and must stay with their handler outside the ferry cabin at the rear of the vessel.