TRAIL BIKE HOONS MAIMING WILDLIFE IN MANDURAH
Incidents reported to City Rangers include riders chasing kangaroos, deer, ducks and ducklings at high speed usually resulting in injury to the animals as they are forced into fences or, in the case of small wildlife, being run over. Some kangaroos and deer have been caught in the fences, unable to free themselves and have subsequently died as a result.
Mandurah Mayor Paddi Creevey said these reports were horrific and the City was working with local police and the RSPCA to crack down on this cruel and irresponsible behaviour.
“This is basically hoon behaviour and parents will be held accountable for any underage youth caught riding trail bikes anywhere in the City of Mandurah,” Mayor Creevey said.
“I also remind these young trail bike riders, and their parents, that riding off-road trail bikes, dirt bikes and quad bikes on all beaches and reserves in the City of Mandurah is prohibited. They are only allowed to ride on private property if they have the written consent of the landowner.”
City Rangers are receiving 40 to 50 complaints a month about reckless riding of trail bikes and the associated issues of safety, noise, dust and animal welfare. The worst areas affected are Black Swan Lake at Lakelands, the limestone quarry at Dawesville, bushland at Mariners Cove and the dunes at Tims Thicket and Whitehills.
“In their pursuit for fun, these hoons are also causing damage to fences and reserves throughout the City, and they are riding on designated walking trails in the bush where walkers and residents walking their dogs are regularly being forced off these tracks for their own safety,” Mayor Creevey said.
“Recently, two trail bike riders hit a Rhodesian ridgeback dog being walked by its owner in bush near Mariners Cove and while the owner had to deal with a badly injured dog that required veterinary treatment, these callous young people rode off without assisting.
“Many parents believe that trail bike riding is a healthy past-time because their children are outdoors and not glued to a TV. This is true if these bikes are ridden at an approved facility or on private property with landowner approval, however, there is no suitable land available in Mandurah for this activity.”
Mayor Creevey urged the community to report any person riding from a property on an unlicensed trail bike and if they were seen riding on the road or road verge to call Mandurah Police immediately on 131 444.
“If anyone sees an unlicensed trail bike being ridden in beaches, parks or on private land without consent, please call Ranger Services on 9550 3630, and for all animal cruelty matters, please call the RSPCA on 9209 9300,” she said.
RELEASE ENDS
16 September 2008