Pittwater Council Annual Report - Pittwater Council - NSW ...

Section 2 - Statutory StatementsCompanion Animal Management - Section 217 (1) (f)Lodgement of Pound Data Collection ReturnsThese Returns have been completed and lodged with the Returns indicating that 209 companion animalswere seized by Council staff, of which 109 were returned directly to their owner and 100 were taken toCouncil’s Animal Shelter.Lodgement of Dog Attack DataThe dog attack data forms have been lodged with the Department which indicate that there were 28reported dog attacks on people and animals between 1 February 2009 and 30 June 2009. The reporteddog attacks are in accordance with the definition of a dog attack under the Companion Animal Act whereit is deemed sufficient evidence is available to proceed with a prosecution. Reporting requirements werechanged on 1 February 2009 to reflect reported attacks rather than proven attacks.Amount of funding spent relating to Companion Animal Management and ActivitiesCouncil’s expenditure in relation to Companion Animal Management and activities for 2008/09 was$197,630.Companion Animal Community education programsThe following education programs were carried out:• “Dog day by the Bay” which is a community education event held annually.• School education programmes targeting specifically primary school children.• Regular advertising campaigns including joint advertising campaigns with Manly and WarringahCouncils.• Council Officers patrolling the community speaking to dog owners’ - high visible education.Strategies to promote and assist the Desexing of dogs and catsCouncil currently uses the Animal Welfare League who have a program to assist in the desexing of companionanimals in hardship cases. Council pays a contribution to the Animal Welfare League for every companionanimal taken for rehousing, of which there must be a component for desexing as all animals rehoused mustbe desexed prior to sale.Strategies in place to comply with S64 (Companion Animal Act) to seek alternatives to euthanasiafor unclaimed animalsCouncil has a policy of responsible rehousing unclaimed companion animals. Council rehouses all animalswhere possible although Council does not have a no kill policy. Council has been able to successfullyrehouse all unclaimed companion animals capable of rehousing.Off leash Areas provided by CouncilCouncil provides 7 unleashed dog exercise areas, of which 3 have water access.Detailed financial information on the use of Companion Animal Fund money for the managementand control of companion animals in the area.ReceiptsCompanion Animal Fund ($28,364)DisbursementsDog Day by the Bay (public education day) $28,400School Education $9,500Education – public advertisements in news print $12,500Printing of brochures $12,000Enforcement by Rangers $107,000Provision of pound facility $44,300Total net expenditure after income from registrations $185,33628