PARKS Victoria rangers will determine whether reserves require new mineshaft warnings and dog signage.
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It follows an incident on July 8 when emergency services were called to rescue a puppy after it fell down a mineshaft in the Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve.
A family were walking in the area when their 12-month-old Staffordshire Terrier fell more than 10 metres into a mineshaft.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said the organisation was happy the family pet was rescued.
“Like many areas in Victoria, this reserve contains many historic mine shafts, located off the park tracks,” a spokesperson said.
“When in a public park or reserve it’s important to stay on the designated tracks, for both safety and protection of the environment.
“Where dogs are permitted in parks, they are required to be on a lead at all times.”
Stawell State Emergency Services unit controller Alan Blight attended the rescue and said he was aware of multiple mine shafts.
“This is a well-known fact,” he said.
“There is a safety concern for everybody here, but in an old mining town there are mine shafts scattered all around – especially at Deep Lead and Illawarra State Forest.
“There could be some signage at the entrances of these parks.”
Mr Blight said he had seen about “half a dozen” mineshaft rescues during his time with the emergency service.
“They have all been involving dogs in the mine shafts,” he said.
“The only time it involved people was about 12 years ago when we rescued two firefighters who were battling a blaze in the Illawarra State Forest.”