| Contact us | A-Z | Sitemap |
Laws & permits Animal regulations Dogs Responsible dog ownership

Responsible dog ownership

The owner and/or keeper of an animal is responsible for that animal, this includes maintaining minimum standards for the care of that animal i.e. basics such as feeding, walking and grooming. (If the owner is under 18 years old, then that person's parents or guardian are responsible for the dog and are considered the dog's owners).

As a dog owner, it is important you understand your obligations and responsibilities that apply to keeping dogs in TRC. All dogs in TRC must be:
  • Registered
  • Microchipped (before being sold or given away)
  • Confined to the property at all times and are not allowed to wander or escape from the property

Keeping Your Dog Confined to Your Property 

Wandering dogs create the potential to become a real danger not only to themselves, but the public as well. A wandering dog runs the risk of being involved in a traffic accident or being declared dangerous if it should put fear into, or worse still, attacks a person or another animal while it is out wandering. Roaming dogs can often cause disputes and anxiety between neighbours by causing other dogs to bark, fighting with other dogs, chasing other domestic and native animals or defecating in neighbouring gardens. 
 

Remember – by law you must confine your dog to your property at all times – dogs are not allowed to roam

Enclosures must be used as a method of containing your dog/s to your property. The enclosure must be suitable for the size and breed of your dog/s and be able to prevent it from escaping your property.
 
Running wires and electronic fencing are not a recognised or suitable sole method of containing your dog/s. 

Microchipping Your Dog

With the arrival of State introduced Legislation Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, owners must ensure any dog over the age of eight (8) weeks is microchipped before it is sold or given away. However, if a dog that is twelve weeks or older and not microchipped should come into your possession, it is your responsibility to ensure the dog is microchipped within 14 days of you receiving it.
 
Toowoomba Regional Council does not microchip dogs. Please contact your local veterinarian for this service.
 
Council’s Animal Management staff carries Scanners so microchipped animals can be scanned and identified quickly and easily.
 
It is a requirement under the Act for the owner of a microchipped animal to contact the microchip provider to change details such as a change of address, change of ownership or any change to the status of the animal.
 

Regular Vet Checks and Worming

 Dogs require regular worming for intestinal worms and heartworm. Regular health checks and vaccinations by your local veterinarian will help your dog lead a long and healthy life.
 

Desexing Your Dog

Statistics have shown that desexed dogs create far less problems than dogs that are not desexed. Desexed dogs are less likely to develop certain cancers, roam, become involved in fights and display aggressive tendencies in certain situations. By desexing your dog you will also help to prevent the deaths of thousands of puppies and dogs who can not find homes. For these reasons, Toowoomba Regional Council strongly recommends and encourages dog owners to desex their dog/s. Council offers generously discounted registrations for desexed dogs.
 
Toowoomba Regional Council does not provide a desexing service for dogs. Contact your local veterinarian for this service. 

Identification Tags

Although it is not a legal requirement, Council is happy for dog owners to attach an additional identification tag with their telephone number displayed as an added identification security for their dog.

 

Disposal of Faeces and Urine

The smell of dog faeces and urine can be quite offensive. Ensure you regularly collect your dog’s faeces from your property and dispose of it responsibly. You can place it in your wheelie bin as long it appropriately wrapped to make it fly and vermin proof. 

 
When out walking your dog in a public place, please carry an appropriate receptacle for collecting and removing faeces should your dog defecate. When you return home from your walk, the receptacle with the faeces inside can be placed in the wheelie bin ready for disposal on your next garbage collection day.
 

Outdoors and Active

Dogs need regular exercise to be healthy and to stop them becoming bored. Boredom often leads to anti social behaviour such as digging holes, barking unnecessarily and generally being mischievous. Most dogs need to be taken for a walk or have some other form of exercise at least once a day. Council has provided a number of Off Leash Parks to assist owners with exercising their dogs. 
 
Unsecured Dogs in Vehicles
                                        
Whenever taking your dog in a vehicle, make sure it is secured properly. Pets should not ride unrestrained in either the front or back seats of any vehicle. A special harness can be attached to your vehicle’s seat belt, allowing your dog to sit or lit on the seat. These harnesses are available through pet stores, some vet surgeries and the RSPCA and are available in a variety of sizes. 
 
Dogs should not ride unrestrained in the back of trucks or trailers. Dogs should be tethered to a short chain with a swivel to a central anchor point on the floor behind the cabin with the other end of the chain attached to the dog’s collar using another swivel to prevent tangling.
 

Injured Dogs

If you encounter an injured dog, contact Council's Animal Management Centre who will collect the dog and have its condition assessed by a veterinarian.
 
If you encounter a deceased dog, contact Council’s Waste Management Branch so arrangements can be made for removal of the body.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 November 2011 12:09

Related documents

Text Size
[ Reset Settings ]