This Melbourne landmark is set to be overrun by thousands of aggressive seagulls
Updated . First published
Exclusive: One of Melbourne’s most well-known landmarks is about to get a lot busier, but the fresh wave of visitors is more likely to steal your lunch than visit a gallery.
For the past six months, a team of trained dogs has been employed to chase away the huge flock of seagulls that descend on Federation Square.
Harry has been working hard to keep Fed Square vistors and their hot chips safe. Jules Galloway
But the program is being scrapped, leaving visitors’ hot chips undefended and dogs like Harry out of a job.
Harry’s owner, Jules Galloway, signed him up for the program after she was dive-bombed by a gaggle of gulls last year.
“I actually copped a wing to the face when they grabbed a sushi roll out of my hand,” she told nine.com.au.
“I was lifting my hand to my mouth, and then this bird was in my face. It was really scary.”
Harry has been part of the inaugural patrol team deployed to Fed Square with their handlers every day from 11am to 3pm.
The crack seagull hunting team has reduced the number of incidents like the one Galloway fell victim of, and the dogs become a beloved sight around the plaza.
But they won’t be around for much longer.
Have you got a story? Contact reporter Maddison Skipper at mleach@nine.com.au
A Fed Square spokesperson told nine.com.au its seagull patrol dog program was only ever a trial.
“The pilot program has wrapped up, and we will be taking a pause over the wetter months when fewer people are dining outside,” they said.
“We’re glad to see people share the same affection for the patrol dogs as we do, and we hope to see the program return in the future.”
Galloway is worried about what will happen now.
Seagulls in the area had been growing bolder for years before the dog patrols kicked off and could get even more aggressive when they end.
James Webb, the mastermind behind the patrols, said there couldn’t be a worse time to cancel them.
“This time of year is when the seagulls are most numerous and aggressive,” Webb told nine.com.au.
Dairy is another member of the seagull patrol dog team that keeps Fed Square safe. Jules Galloway
“The seagulls return in their thousands every year in the first two weeks of June and until late November, they will be significantly more aggressive.”
Webb owns and operates Mad Dogs and Englishmen, which runs seagull patrols in Melbourne and Sydney, and has witnessed firsthand how much of a nuisance seagulls are when the dogs aren’t around to fend them off.
He said their absence could cause trouble for Federation Square and surrounding businesses.
“Seagulls attacking people eating food causes significant operational and financial loss to these places, and seriously affects customer satisfaction,” he said.
“Who wants to try and eat food while being attacked by birds?”
The program also offers dogs living in the city the chance to get out and give in to their bird-chasing instincts once a week.
Galloway doesn’t want Harry miss out on that.
Without dogs like Harry on patrol, seagulls are likely to get more aggressive. Jules Galloway
“Harry’s a Border Collie x Kelpie, and he’s a rescue dog, so we’re trying to give him the best life possible,” she said.
“We moved from acreage to a little apartment in South Yarra, and I just thought it was the perfect job for an apartment dog who needs to stretch his legs.”
On Monday, Galloway started a change.org petition to save the Federation Square seagull patrols.
It’s already got more than 500 signatures – she just hopes it will be enough to convince Fed Square to keep the program.
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