PUBLIC NOTICE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT – COMPLIANCE BLITZ No 2

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Published
5th May 2023

Commences Monday 8th May 2023 In the first phase of the Animal Management Compliance Blitz, Council’s focus will be on:

  •  seizing wandering dogs;
  •  dealing with dogs that are off-lead, and dogs that are defecating;
  •  dog registrations.

 

Wandering Dogs

Any dog found wandering may be seized and impounded by Council. Council will give the responsible person for the dog a Notice of Impounding.

If the dog is not claimed and all fees are paid within 3 days of a Notice of Impounding (if the dog is unregistered, otherwise the timeframe is 5 days for registered dogs), the dog will be disposed of as the law permits, including by euthanasia. This will occur without further notice to the dog owner.

A dog cannot be claimed unless you first pay the impoundment fee and sustenance and maintenance fee and registration fee for your dog. If a dog owner voluntarily surrenders an animal and if not re-homed, the euthanasia fee of $25.00 will be waived during the Blitz.

Council’s current charges are:

  • Impoundment fee - $110.00 per animal;
  • Sustenance and Maintenance Fee - $16.50 per animal per day;

Off-lead and defecating dogs

Council will issue on-the-spot fines if a dog/s is/are off lead or where a dog/dogs defecate/s and the owner does not clean up afterwards. The fine is $150 for each offence and each occasion.

If unpaid, it will be referred to SPER to recover the debt.

It is an offence not to provide the Authorised Person with your name and address if you are suspected of committing an offence.

Council advises that any parent walking with a baby or small child in a pram or stroller must not tie the lead to the stroller/pram as it endangers the baby or child in the event that another dog menaces your dog. Authorised Persons will provide a warning in these circumstances.

Registrations

All dogs must be registered in the Torres Shire. This includes if you wish to collect your dog from the pound.

Council will waive the dog registration fee (and associated penalty for not having your dog registered) if you register your dog during the Blitz.

This means your dog is registered for free until 30 June 2023.

You must then pay the prescribed annual registration fee on 1 July 2023. The current fees are:

  • For desexed dogs - $18.00 for the first dog, $25.00 for the second dog, and $200.00 for each additional dog per year (there are prohibitions on the keeping 2 or 3 dogs or more in certain circumstances – Note Notice on Council Blitz from last week).
  • For dogs that are not desexed - $85.00 for the first dog, $190.00 for the second dog, and $400.00 for each additional dog per year (note there are prohibitions on the keeping of 2 or more dogs in certain circumstances – Note Council Blitz Notice from last week). All dogs over the age of 12 weeks must be desexed in the Torres Shire, unless you are an approved breeder.

All you need to do is come to the Council office and complete the registration form and you will receive a dog registration tag.

QPS in the Shire has offered its support to Council during this Blitz. Council appreciates this support.

Council looks forward to the cooperation of the community during the Blitz.

DALASSA YORKSTON

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Issued: 5 th May 2023