Dog Information

Responsible Dog Ownership

If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to ensure that your pet is well looked after and that you respect other people in the community by taking measures to prevent your pet creating a nuisance. Dog owners need to ensure that:

dogs are confined on the owner’s property;
dogs are tethered, on a lead and under control when in public places;
dogs do not behave aggressively towards people or other animals;
dogs don’t bark excessively; and
owners pick up their dog’s droppings and dispose of the waste appropriately.

The Dog Act 1976 places responsibilities for the control of dogs on West Australian dog owners. For more information, please follow the link here.

Microchipping

Dogs aged 3 months or older must be microchipped, unless a certificate has been provided by a veterinarian stating that microchipping may adversely affect the health and welfare of the dog.

Registration

Dogs over the age of three months must be registered. The dog must also be microchipped before it can be registered.

Dogs must wear a collar with the registration tag attached to the collar. This will significantly improve the chances of lost dogs being reunited with their owners.

A working dog concession (75% discount on the non-discounted fees below) is available to registered primary producers or persons using dogs for the droving or tending of stock. (Proof of primary producer status may be required.) Retired farm dogs are not exempt.

For dog registration fees, please click here.

Dog Sterilisation

It is not a legal requirement to have your dog sterilised, however discounts apply to the registration of sterilised dogs. If you have your dog sterilised after registering it as unsterilised, part of the registration fee paid may be refunded.

Transfer of Dog Registration

If you sell or give your dog to another person, you and the new owner will need to complete a new dog registration. It does not cost anything to transfer ownership of a registered dog and the remaining registration period will be transferred to the new owner.

Dogs must be microchipped before ownership is transferred, unless a certificate has been provided by a veterinarian stating that microchipping may adversely affect the health and welfare of the dog.

Within seven days of the transfer of the microchipped dog, the seller must notify the microchip database company of the name and address of the new owner of the dog, and of any other changes (you must also advise the local government of the transfer).

A restricted breed dangerous dog cannot be transferred to another owner unless there are exceptional circumstances. A declared dangerous dog must not be transferred to a person under the age of 18. For more information, please contact our Ranger on 0408 511 409.

Cancellation of Dog Registration

If you wish to cancel your dog's registration, please contact the Shire Administration Office. Please note that no refunds are issued for cancellation of dog registrations.

Limit on Number of Dogs

The limit on the number of dogs that can be kept in the Shire are:

on premises situated within the townsite – 2 dogs over the age of 3 months, and the young of those dogs; or
on premises situated outside the townsite – 4 dogs over the age of 3 months, and the young of those dogs. If you wish to keep more than 6 dogs, you will need to apply for a Kennel License.

Dogs in Public Places

When dogs are in a public place they must be held on a leash (maximum length of 2 metres) or harness by a person who is capable of controlling the dog, or be securely tethered.
Dogs are only permitted on private property with the consent of the property occupier or owner.
The Ranger may seize and impound dogs that are uncontrolled in public, or dogs that are pursued by the Ranger that run onto a private property without the consent of the property owner or occupier.

Dog Pound

If your dog has been captured and is being kept in the pound you will be required to pay a $110.00 impounding fee before your dog will be released to you. If your dog requires feeding whilst in the pound there will be a sustenance fee per $38/day. Additionally, if it is found that your dog is not registered you will also be required to pay for the registration fee applicable and may be liable for a fine.

Fencing Requirements

Property occupiers are responsible for ensuring that the fences will securely keep the dog contained within the property.
The fence should prevent the dog from passing over, under or through it.
When the dog is on the premises any gate within the fenced area should be kept closed and be fitted with a locking mechanism.
Please note that specific requirements exist for securely containing a dangerous dog.
If you require a fence inspection, please contact the Ranger.

Barking Dogs

Barking is normal dog behaviour, however living near a dog that barks excessively can be disruptive.

The Shire recommends that in the first instance you talk to the owner of the dog. Often dog owners are usually not aware that their dog is barking, especially if they work away from home during the day.

It can be useful to note when the dog barks and if you observe any triggers (e.g. if the dog barks at passers-by). This helps establish the severity of the problem and identifies any patterns which can be used to determine the reason why the dog is barking.

If you don't feel comfortable approaching your neighbour, or if the problem continues, the Ranger may investigate the issue. You can provide the details at the Shire & fill in a nuisance complaint form.

Action by the Ranger

The actions that local governments can take to deal with nuisance barking are determined by the Dog Act 1976.

The Ranger firstly needs to be satisfied that the barking behaviour is in fact a nuisance. Follow up actions may include a Ranger talking to neighbours and observing barking behaviour and we may ask you to keep a formal record of the barking.

If the Ranger establishes that the barking is causing a nuisance a noise abatement order, which requires the owner to prevent the dog making the noise, may be issued. This notice has effect for six months.

If the owner does not comply with the notice an infringement notice may be issued, or prosecution may commence.

Dog Attacks

Dog attacks can have serious consequences. The dog owner and the person in charge of the dog at the time of an attack may be held accountable. The Shire takes dog attacks seriously and may prosecute any dog owner whose dog has committed an attack on a person or animal.

A dog attack does not need to cause physical injury and includes the following dog behaviour:

aggressively rushing at or harassing any person or animal,
biting, or otherwise causing physical injury to a person or animal,
tearing clothing or causing damage to the property of the person attacked, or
attempting to attack or behaving in a manner that would cause a person to fear physical injury.

Under the Dog Act 1976, it is an offence for a dog to attack, attempt to attack or aggressively harass a person or animal.

Dog attacks may lead to infringements being issued to the dog owner and/or the person responsible for the dog at the time of the attack. In more serious cases, court action may be taken. The maximum penalty for a dog attack is $10,000.

If you are a victim of a dog attack, please report the incident to the Shire immediately. Required details may include the date, time, and location of attack and a description of the offending dog and owner. Please keep copies of any medical treatment required as a result of the attack and in some instances photographic evidence may be required.

Dangerous Dogs

Owners of a restricted breed dog, or a dog that has been declared dangerous by a local government must abide by the stringent laws that are in place to protect the community.

If you own a restricted breed dog (see below) or a dog crossed with a restricted breed, you need to declare this on the application form when you register your dog for the first time, or renew its registration.

Penalties for breaches of the Dog Act 1976 by a dangerous dog are double those which apply to other dogs.

A local government may declare a dog dangerous if it has caused injury or damage by an attack on, or chasing, a person, animal or vehicle or if a dog has repeatedly shown a tendency to attack or chase causing no injury.

Protection Measures

Under the Act, dangerous dogs (including restricted breeds) must:

wear a special collar that identifies it as a dangerous dog
be confined in an enclosure that prevents its escape; its release without permission; and a child aged less than 7 years from entering or inserting part of his or her body
be sterilised (restricted breeds only)
be microchipped
be muzzled and under the control of an adult capable of controlling the dog if outside of its enclosure.
A prescribed warning sign must be erected at each entrance to the premises where a restricted breed dog is kept.