responsible pet ownership SCRC.pdf - the Living Smart Program

Responsible Pet Ownership
Form applicable to property located within the geographical boundaries of the former Maroochy Shire
Having pets is one of the great joys of our community, but everyone who owns an animal must be
aware of the responsibility it brings as well as the community’s expectations about responsible pet
management.
Owning a pet is great fun, but it does come with
responsibility. Much of being a responsible pet owner is
understanding your pet’s needs and being aware of
your responsibilities to the community.
Dog owners should do a few simple things to keep their
pets out of trouble and their neighbours happy:
• Make sure your dog is properly fenced in at home
• Use a leash when you are out
• Train them not to bark excessively
• Stop them from roaming or being aggressive
• Pick up any litter left by them in public
• Make sure they are registered and identified so
they can be returned if lost
Your responsibilities
Your dog is an important part of the family unit and
should be cared for as responsibly as you care for a
family member. You should keep them safe, exercised
and happy. You are responsible for the care of this pet
for the duration of its life and are responsible for
everything your pet does. It is a full time responsibility
that needs to be carefully considered.
Council seeks to help people resolve animal
management issues without formal action, but has a
duty to maintain a safe environment for all in the
community and to ensure that animal ownership does
not create health or safety problems. Local Law 7
(Keeping and controlling of animals) has very specific
provisions to help Council manage animals in the
community.
Caring for your pet
Caring for your pet’s welfare is a full time commitment
and there are many factors that need to be considered
before acquiring a pet.
Selecting the right pet for your lifestyle is an important
place to start. Choose a breed that matches your
lifestyle and your environment (house, yard, flat). Make
sure that you can devote the necessary time to training,
exercising and socialising your pet.
It is also important to determine whether you can afford
the veterinary check-ups, vaccinations and food that
your pet will require during its lifetime. Ask Council or
your local vet for advice if you are not sure.
Registration
Registration and identification of pets and other animals
is important for the well being of the animals
themselves, owner’s peace of mind, and to allow
Council to plan for future community needs.
In the Sunshine Coast Regional Shire, all dogs must be
registered each year and carry an identification tag.
Most other types of pets do not require registration, but
it’s always a good idea to check with your pet shop, vet
or Council.
Dog registration is an important investment in your pet,
providing safety and security, as well as assisting
Council to contact you in case your pet is lost, injured or
involved in an incident.
Barking
All dogs bark, but some barking dogs become a real
neighbourhood nuisance – greatly reducing people’s
quality of life and increasing neighbourhood tensions.
Barking dogs are the most common animal behaviour
problem Council is asked to deal with.
Ongoing barking is often a symptom of another
problem, and understanding what makes your dog bark
is the first step towards solving this problem, both for
the dog involved and your neighbours. Talk to Council,
your vet or pet shop for advice.
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Fences
Owning a pet requires responsibility, so if you intend
owning a dog in Sunshine Coast Regional Shire, you
have to take responsibility for confining it to your
property.
Adequately sized 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.
Contacting Council
If you require any further information about this or any
other responsible pet ownership issue, please call
Council’s Local Laws Unit on 5475 8501.
Or visit the Sunshine Coast Regional Council website at
www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Ensure that your fence is high enough your dog can’t
jump over, low enough your dog can’t dig under, strong
enough your dog can’t push it over and hole-proof so
that your dog can’t escape or attack people through it.
Aggression
All dog owners hope their pet won’t show aggression
towards other animals or people. But it can and does
happen for many reasons.
Remember, pet owners are responsible and legally
liable for the actions of their animals.
Litter
When exercising your pet in public, please use the
plastic bags Council provide so you can pick up after
your pet. There are special animal waste bins provided
so you can keep the environment clean for the
enjoyment of others. If walking your dog in an area
where bags aren’t provided, please take your own with
you. Remember, you are legally required to clean up
after your pet.
Exercise and leashes
A well-exercised dog makes a happy and contented
pet, so responsible pet owners need to make time to
regularly exercise their animals. While Council provides
several “off leash” areas, dogs must be leashed at all
times in other public places to help you control them
and to increase the safety of other animals and people.
Check with Sunshine Coast Regional Council for
locations.
Community rights
People in the community are entitled to live without
interference from other people’s pets.
Unaccompanied animals roaming the streets are at risk
and all residents have a right and responsibility to have
them rescued and either taken to a refuge or returned
to their owners.
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