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Pet plan (Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021/25) adopted by Bass Coast Shire Council

Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-25 at the October Council Meeting.

By news@gippsland - 21st October 2021 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-25 at the October Council Meeting. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Council must develop and implement a new DAMP every four years.

The DAMP includes programs for the training of authorised officers, to ensure they can properly administer and sets out methods for evaluating our effective management, and outlines programs, services and strategies ensuring a safe and harmonious community

Encouraging responsible pet ownership

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari, said that the main aim of the DAMP is to promote and encourage responsible pet ownership. "It looks at how Council currently manages this and establishes objectives to improve and grow the ways we deliver domestic animal management programs over the next four years."

"These objectives and guidelines will help council to create a place where pets and the community can live together in harmony, without negatively impacting the environment or amenity." Cr Tessari said.

Feedback appreciated

The development of the DAMP 2021-25 was supported by an extensive community consultation program from March to September this year, to ensure the Plan addresses the key priorities of the Bass Coast Community.

"We received feedback through survey responses, written submissions, stakeholder workshops, community pop-ups and much more. We would like to thank all of our valued community, including advocate groups and key organisations who have contributed to the new DAMP. The key themes that emerged from this consultation were consistent with what we have seen in previous years." Cr Tessari said.

DAMP highlights

The key areas of community focus highlighted in the DAMP 2021-25 are:

• Increased and improved communication, education and training for the community to promote responsible pet ownership
• Increased patrols and enforcement
• Signage improvements relating to dog areas and regulations
• Improvements and a more consistent approach to dog off leash areas
• Introduction of 24/7 cat containment

Council taking a more active and leadership approach, including seeking external funding opportunities and establishing and facilitating working groups.

For more information, or to vie the DAMP 2021-25, please visit domestic animal management plan or contact council's Community Safety Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211, or email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com