The Dog Control Act 1996 in conjunction with Council’s Dog Control Bylaw requires dog owners to:
- Ensure that your dog is registered on or before the age of three months.
- Annual registration renewal is paid on or before 31 July each year.
- Ensure that your dog wears a collar with a current registration tag affixed.
- Notify the Council in writing of any change of address or ownership of a dog within 14 days.
- Keep your dog under control at all times and ensure it does not attack any person or any other animal.
- Ensure that your dog receives proper care and attention and that you supply your dog with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise.
- Ensure that your dog is leashed when it is in a public place.
- Pick up your dog faeces when this occurs outside your property.
- Contain your dog if it has a contagious disease.
- Take all responsible steps to ensure that the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person whether by persistent and loud barking, howling, or by any other means.
- Take all responsible steps to ensure that your dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate or otherwise cause distress to any person.
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure that your dog does not injure, endanger or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife.
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to another person.
- Keep your dog confined to your property in such a manner that it can not freely leave your property, or ensure your dog is under the direct control of a person.
- Ensure that if your dog is female and ‘in season’ and you choose to exercise it in a public place, that it is leashed and under the direct control of an adult.
Dog owners must keep their dogs under control at all times and ensure their dog receives proper care, attention, and exercise otherwise they may be seized or infringement notices may be issued. Dogs that attack persons or animals, or rush at vehicles can be destroyed, or classified as a dangerous or menacing dog. The owner of the dog will be liable for any damage caused by the attack.
For more information regarding dog ownership, please read the following document.
Dog Owner's Handbook (698 Kb)