Responsible Pet Ownership
Well cared for pets bring joy and pleasure to their owners, however as responsible pet owners we must demonstrate a level of accountability in relation to our pets that ensures the well being of the community in which we live.
The Central Highlands Regional Council has an obligation to meet the expectations of the community in relation to health and safety and to ensure that general nuisance behaviour often associated with uncared for animals is kept to a minimum.
Number of Dogs
Two dogs only may be kept per residence. If, for special and specific reasons, you require more than two dogs per residence then an ‘Application for an Excess Dog Permit’ can be made to Council by completing an ‘Excess Dog’ application form.
Registration
It is a requirement under Council’s Local Law No. 6 Keeping & Control of Animals that all dogs kept within townships be registered with the Council. Dog registrations allows Council Officers to contact the owners of impounded dogs and track nuisance and dangerous dogs thereby ensuring public safety and amenity.
Dog Registration Fees
Dog registration is due on the 1st of July each year and applies to any dog over six months of age. Fees are as follows:
| Description | Cost |
| Desexed dogs | $25 |
| Entire dogs | $55 |
Application for an Excess Dog permit
(includes dog registration) | |
Re-registering Excess Dog (resides at
the same property as previous year) | |
| Declared Dangerous Dog | |
Fences & Enclosure
A person who keeps and animal must maintain a proper enclosure to keep the animal on the person’s land and prevent the animal from wandering or escaping from the land. Please ensure that your fence is:
- High enough so that your dog can’t jump over it
- Low enough so that your dog can’t dig under it
- Hole proof so that your dog can’t escape or attack people through it; and,
- Strong enough so that your dog can’t push it over.
Use a Leash When in a Public Place
When exercising your dog in a public place, ensure your dog is leashed at all times to help you control your dog and increase the safety of other animals and people.
Barking
All dogs bark on occasions for various reasons which may be because they are glad to see their owner or to alert of intruders. There are however, dogs that bark excessively and in doing so cause a ‘nuisance’ to the community in general.
Excessive barking can be caused by:
- Loneliness or boredom
- Pain or discomfort of the animal
- A misunderstanding of where their territory ends and as such everything that moves within their line of sight becomes a threat.
Please ensure your dog is not causing a nuisance in relation to excessive barking and if they are you might find the above bullet points helpful when trying to correct this type of behaviour.
Community Rights and Complaints
Community members do have the right to live without nuisance or aggressive behaviour in association with other resident’s pets. If you know of an animal that is causing a public/community nuisance please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer.
