Residents’ dogs are continually spotted roaming the suburb and surrounding bushland without their owners and off leads, according to Olia Carwardine and John Fimmano. 

They said the dogs had terrorised native wildlife and locals.

Mr Fimmano said he was worried for children’s safety and particularly the welfare of wild kangaroos.

“I had a very large dog corner me on the boat ramp,” he said.

“It was growling at me and it was horrible. I was terrified.

“We very often come across kangaroos that have been attacked and mauled and it can be so easily avoided.”

Ms Carwardine said she contacted the South Coast Register six years ago after a dog had attacked and killed a kangaroo on her driveway.

“The issue is only getting worse, not better,” she said.

“Owning a pet is a responsibility. If you own a dog in this sort of environment you need to appreciate and respect the natural surroundings. This area is surrounded by national parks and owners should know better.”

Mr Fimmano said although council’s rangers monitored the area more often than before, it was still a common event to see an injured or dead kangaroo nearby.

“Last week my partner found a kangaroo which had a gash in its side, a bleeding eye and a puncture wound in its tail from a dog,” he said.

“We called Wildlife Rescue.

“Sadly it happens all the time and the kangaroos are quite tame so they are easy prey.”

Ms Carwardine said there were many other residents concerned about the issue.

“We’re not dog haters. We just want dogs kept in check.”