More than 3000 people have signed a nationwide petition for authorities to allow dogs on leashes into Australia’s national parks.

The petition, started by NSW dog owner Shandra Coppard, says, in order to visit one of about 650 national parks across the country, dog owners either need to find a dog or house sitter, use expensive kennels, or be excluded from many parts of Australia.   

“This law makes it very difficult for many Australians with their family pet to visit some of the most beautiful areas in Australia,” she says.  

“We would therefore like to see the law changed to allow dogs into national parks with their owners, providing the dogs are kept on leashes and owners clean up any poops.” 

Ms Coppard last week thanked everyone who had signed the petition since it was launched late last month, and she was now trying to share it on online traveller pages to spread the word further.

She said some people had also suggested compromise solutions including dog permits,  restricting access to parks during peak breeding times, and closing off some parks on alternate years.

Queensland Parks and Forests state that dogs are not allowed in parks because they “provide a much-needed refuge for native plants and animals”.