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Domestic animal management gets results

Bass Coast Shire Council recently resolved two cases of dog attacks in the Magistrates’ Court.

By Portal Admin - 20th November 2017 - Back to News

In both cases the pet owners pleaded guilty and fines were upheld.

Council’s Local Laws Team are responsible for managing and advocating for responsible pet ownership in Bass Coast, which includes pet registration, lost animals and dog attacks.

Manager Community Health and Wellbeing, Claire Smith, explained that dogs can be territorial animals and, if they are not contained to properties and are allowed to roam, their territory often extends into public streets and areas surrounding their home. For these reasons, dog attacks often occur on the footpath or road in front of a dog’s home.

"In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, dogs must be contained in their property. Doing so will mitigate dog attacks and help keep our community safe," Mrs Smith said.

"In the two recent cases, the dogs were not contained to their properties at the time of the attack. Having these dogs contained would have prevented the attack in both cases."

All pet owners are responsible for the actions of their pet; this includes attacks, wandering pets, and keeping pets on a leash in a public place.

Pet registration is also an important part of responsible pet ownership. Registration provides clear identification and is essential when reuniting lost pets with owners.

For more information or to register your pet, please contact the Local Laws Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211, or visit basscoast.vic.gov.au/pets.

For more information contact:

Nina Barry-Macaulay

communications officer

t (03) 5671 2163 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 698 089

e nina.barry-macaulay@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com