Responsible Pet Ownership
Owning a dog or cat is rewarding, but it also comes with responsibilities. Responsible pet ownership helps protect your pet, your neighbours, other animals and the wider community.
In Victoria, dog and cat owners have obligations under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, as well as applicable Council rules and orders.
Register and identify your pet
Dogs and cats must be registered with Council in accordance with Victorian legislation. Registration helps Council identify and return lost pets and supports animal management services within the community.
Registered dogs and cats must also wear their Council-issued identification marker when outside their owner's premises, subject to applicable exemptions.
Remember to keep your contact details and your pet's microchip information up to date.
Keep your pet safely contained
Pet owners should ensure their animals are safely and securely contained on their property.
Check fences, gates and enclosures regularly and make sure they are appropriate for your animal. A dog escaping through an open or inadequate gate can put the dog, other animals and members of the community at risk.
Allowing a dog to be at large can also constitute an offence under Victorian law.
Dogs in public places
When taking your dog into a public place, make sure you understand and follow the requirements applying to that area.
Where dogs are required to be on a leash, they must remain properly restrained. Always observe Council signs identifying on-leash, off-leash or prohibited areas.
Dogs travelling on the back of a utility vehicle must also be appropriately restrained.
Importantly, even in an area where dogs are permitted off-leash, owners remain responsible for maintaining effective control of their dog.
Prevent dog attacks and rushing
Dog owners have an important responsibility to prevent their dogs from attacking, biting, rushing at or chasing people or other animals.
An incident does not need to involve a serious bite before consequences may follow. Victorian law provides for offences relating to dog attacks, and a dog may potentially be declared menacing following particular behaviour, including rushing at or chasing a person.
Yarriambiack Shire Council takes reports of dog attacks, rushing and dogs wandering at large seriously.
Depending on the circumstances, Council may investigate the incident, and enforcement action may be taken under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 or other applicable laws.
If you know your dog is anxious, reactive or difficult to control around people or other animals, take reasonable precautions and seek appropriate professional advice before an incident occurs.
Be considerate of your neighbours
Responsible ownership also means ensuring your pet does not create an unreasonable nuisance for other people.
Consider:
- excessive or prolonged barking.
- dogs repeatedly escaping from your property.
- animals entering neighbouring properties.
- appropriately disposing of animal waste.
- supervising pets around other people and animals.
Desexing
Desexing can prevent unwanted litters and may provide other health and behavioural benefits.
Different registration requirements may apply depending on whether an animal is desexed and whether an exemption applies.
A few simple steps make a big difference
Responsible pet owners should:
- register and microchip their dog or cat
- keep registration and microchip details current
- ensure their pet is securely contained
- follow leash and animal-control requirements
- maintain effective control of their dog in public
- prevent their pet from causing a nuisance
- take reasonable steps to prevent attacks, rushing or chasing
- provide appropriate food, water, shelter, exercise and veterinary care
- consider desexing their pet
- contact Council if they are unsure about their responsibilities.
Need more information?
For information about pet registration, animal management requirements or responsible pet ownership, contact Yarriambiack Shire Council on #03 5398 0100.
Further information about Victorian domestic animal legislation and responsible pet ownership is also available from Agriculture Victoria. Pet registration is a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act, and cats and dogs generally need to be microchipped before registration with Council.