Roaming Dogs

Owning a pet is a basic right in our community and a serious responsibility. If you own a dog you have to take responsibility for confining it to your property.

Fences and gates protect your dog from the dangers of roaming, stop it from causing a nuisance in your neighbourhood, and ensure that your pet doesn’t hurt other animals or people.  While some people keep dogs as a deterrent for unauthorised people entering their property, it is important that people legally passing near properties housing dogs are protected from them.

A straying dog causes distress to neighbours and the community. Dogs that are not kept safely behind a fence can risk being injured or causing injury to others. They become a traffic hazard for motorists, are a bite risk to innocent people, can display territorial aggression, are an annoyance to other animals in the community and can cause property damage. Irresponsible owners will be liable for any injuries or damages that their dog causes.

Fencing requirements

Having an adequate size fence for your dog protects both your dog and your neighbourhood. As a responsible pet owner, it is important to ensure that your fence or dog enclosure is:

• High enough that your dog can’t jump over
• Low enough that your dog can’t dig under
• Strong enough that your dog can’t push over
• Hole proof so that your dog can’t escape through it

It is also important that the fence is designed so your pet can’t attack people through it.

Community rights

People in the community have a right to live without interference from other people’s pets. Unaccompanied animals roaming the streets are a risk and residents have a right and responsibility to have them rescued. When Council finds a roaming dog everything possible is done to contact the dog owner, this is made easier if the dog is registered and wearing an identification tag.

Liability

Many pet owners don’t realise that they are legally responsible for everything their pet does – especially when it’s outside their property.

If your pet attacks another animal or injures a person, you may face significant fines and could lose the dog. If a person is injured or if property is damaged, you will be held liable for any damages and injury. Dogs which have attacked a person or animal may be declared dangerous.