Dogs

Dogs must be effectively kept within the boundaries of your property and should not make excessive barking or howling noises.

There are minimum standards for the housing of your dog including the removal of all faeces, the provision of water, food and shelter.

Dog registration

Dogs over three months of age must be registered. Desexed dogs receive registration concessions.

The registration tag must be attached to a collar that is worn around the dog's neck at all times. This tag allows immediate identification of the dog should it escape from your home. Any dog not wearing a collar with a current registration tag is considered to be an unregistered dog.

Barking dogs

What to do if your neighbour's dog barks:

• talk to your neighbour as soon as the problem arises
• if the barking persists after a week or two, speak with your neighbour again to provide feedback
• if your neighbour is unapproachable, or does not agree that a problem exists, you should contact Council for further advice.

What to do if your dog barks:

• walk your dog twice a day to relieve boredom
• provide some stimulants like balls and chew toys
• leave a radio on
• give your dog a small meal just before you leave home
• use a low tone matter of fact voice when you speak to your dog

Off-leash areas

There are a number of designated off-leash areas across the Fraser Coast.

Some of these areas are off-leash 24 hours a day and others are for off-leash use between 4pm and 8am.

Dogs in public places

Your dog must be on a leash, no longer than two metres, at all times when in public places unless you are in a designated dog off-leash area. This ensures the safety of both the dog and the general public.

Dog attacks

If your family or pets have been attacked by a dog/s, please contact Council immediately. 

It is an offence to allow dogs to attack or threaten to attack a person or animal.

Prohibited dogs

The following dogs (including cross-breeds) are prohibited within the Council boundaries:

• American pit-bull
• Dog argentino
• Filo brasileiro
• Japanese tosa

Working dogs

A working dog is usually kept on rural land and by an owner who is a primary producer (or a person engaged or employed by a primary producer) and primarily for the purpose of droving, protecting, tending or working stock. Please refer to the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 for full definition.

Under the Act, working dogs are not required to be registered, however, if the owner wishes to voluntarily register their working dog, they can do so free of charge and receive a tag. Please use the current Animal Registration Form (see Downloads below).

Wandering dogs

Dogs must not wander the neighbourhood. A dog is deemed to be wandering at large if it enters another person's property or is in a public place without a person exercising effective control over the dog.

If you dog is found wandering the neighbourhood, you are liable for an on-the-spot penalty notice. Stray dogs may also be impounded.

Related links

• Dog off-leash areas

Downloads

• Animal change of details - web form
• Animal change of details - editable form (PDF, 1.7MB)
• Animal registration form - editable form (PDF,1.7MB)
• Application for additional dog/s (PDF,188kB)
• Application for an additional greyhound (PDF,83kB)
• Application for a guard dog (PDF,77kB)
• Animal statutory declaration for desexed animals - editable form (PDF, 469KB)
• Animal statutory declaration for animals aged 8 years + editable form (PDF,257KB)

Contact us

For more information on dogs, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 79 49 29.