A recent decision by the Moreton Bay Regional Council in Queensland to ban homeless individuals from keeping pets has sparked outrage, with some residents arguing that the move unfairly penalizes those who rely on animals for emotional support and companionship.
Stephen Bartholomew, a homeless man who relies on his support dog Tyson, a Staffordshire bull terrier, for emotional well-being, shared his shock and disappointment at the new rule. Tyson, Bartholomew said, had literally saved his life during times of intense mental distress. “There was one time when I literally wanted to end my life, and he just curled up with me,” Bartholomew recalled. For him, Tyson’s companionship was not just comforting, but crucial to his mental health.
Bartholomew, along with his 11-year-old son, was forced into homelessness earlier this year after the rent on their home in the Moreton Bay area was raised by $100 a week. While finding a new rental was challenging, particularly with Tyson in tow, the bond between Bartholomew and his dog was essential for his survival during this difficult period.
In mid-December, Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery announced a new regulation banning homeless people in public areas from keeping animals or sleeping in vehicles. This policy came in response to increasing complaints from local residents, who cited issues such as dog attacks, aggressive behavior, and overcrowding in public spaces. According to the council, approximately 30 dogs were being kept by homeless people in public areas.
Mayor Flannery emphasized the need for public spaces to remain safe and accessible for everyone. “A number of our public spaces have become unsafe or inaccessible,” he said. The council’s new stance has led to increased enforcement, with police and council rangers issuing fines or eviction notices to those failing to comply with the new rules.
Homeless advocates, including Beau Haywood, founder of Nourish Street Inc., a local charity, have expressed deep concern over the policy’s impact. Haywood reports that a quarter of the 130 individuals he typically serves each night have disappeared, likely due to the increased pressure of the pet ban. “It’s really shaken up the homeless community,” he said. “I’ve got no idea where they’ve gone. When you disperse these people, I’m not able to engage with them for food.”
The timing of the rule’s implementation, just before Christmas, has been described by critics as “heartless.” Haywood pointed out that the ban left many homeless individuals in an even more precarious situation, particularly those who depend on their pets for comfort and security.
Bartholomew has started an online petition, which has garnered over 14,000 signatures, urging the council to reconsider its decision. The petition suggests that homeless individuals be allowed to live in their vehicles and keep their pets as long as they adhere to basic requirements, such as keeping their animals leashed and cleaning up after them. “We’re just asking for these two fair and reasonable amendments,” he said.
Despite calls for dialogue, the Moreton Bay Council has refused to meet with Bartholomew or other advocates seeking change. Local MPs, including opposition leader Steven Miles, have not responded to Bartholomew’s appeals for support, though federal MP Luke Howarth backed the council’s decision, arguing that the changes would benefit all residents, including homeless people.
The new rule brings Moreton Bay’s approach in line with other local councils, including Brisbane, where similar measures have been taken against rough sleepers. Haywood warned that Moreton Bay’s homeless residents may now be pushed into Brisbane, where they could face further crackdowns.
As the debate continues, critics argue that the pet ban disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, exacerbating the challenges faced by Queensland’s growing homeless population, which is already struggling with a lack of affordable housing and long wait times for social housing.
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