\nTwo-year-old golden retriever Bella has been joining the Rangers for patrols along Bathers Way between Merewether and Bar beaches.
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![\"Bella-the-ranger-dog-with-Allan-Hong-Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes-and-Deputy-Lord-Mayor-Declan-Clausen.JPG\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Paws-on-patrol-as-City-s-Rangers-welcome-new-addit\/Bella-the-ranger-dog-with-Allan-Hong-Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes-and-Deputy-Lord-Mayor-Declan-Clausen.JPG\" "\\"Bella-the-ranger-dog-with-Allan-Hong-Lord-Mayor-Nuatali-Nelmes-and-Deputy-Lord-Mayor-Declan-Clausen.JPG\\"")
\nShe also accompanies her colleagues around Lambton Park and visits the popular fenced off-leash dog park at Acacia Avenue Reserve, North Lambton, which was opened in 2019 following community feedback into the City\u2019s Dogs in Open Space Plan.
\nNewcastle has one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the State, with more than 44,300 registered canines calling the local government area home.
\nLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City\u2019s Dogs in Open Space Plan will guide the provision, improvement and management of dog off-leash areas during the next 10 years.
\n\u201cWe know that dog owners want suitable spaces to exercise their dogs safely, and work is underway to progress the development of strategically located fenced dog parks such as our Acacia Avenue facility,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cAnother priority action of the Dogs in Open Space Plan is to provide community education and information on responsibilities for dogs in public places, which is why it\u2019s so great to see our Rangers trialling new measures such as using Bella to enhance their interactions with the community.\u201d
\nBella\u2019s presence has been well received by both the four-legged friends she meets and their non-canine companions, giving her fellow Rangers more opportunities to engage with the pet owners.
\n\u201cWe have been trialling Ranger dog \u2018Bella\u2019 on foot patrols along Bathers Way and City of Newcastle parks and reserves for the past six months,\u201d Senior Ranger Lauren Whitmore said.
\n\u201cIt has been very well received within the community and a considerable amount of positive feedback has been given by members of the public.
\n\u201cDuring these patrols Rangers engage with dog owners to educate people about being responsible pet owners.
\n\u201cWhen Bella\u2019s with us during patrols we\u2019ve found people are more willing to engage and have a conversation with the Ranger team.\u201d
\nWhen Bella\u2019s not on official duty she spends her down time with her owner and colleague Allan, who has been working with the Ranger team for the past nine months.
\nLauren said Bella\u2019s trial with the team had been such a success they were looking at making her an official Ranger later this month and were currently finalising her position description and calculating how many dog biscuits per hour her role would entail.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"