Bundaberg dog registration fees soar: Owners demand answers

Dog owners have expressed their angst over dog registration as the council increases its fee, and other costs to look after their four-legged family members.

Robert Wilson says the cost of Bundaberg Regional Council dog registration is too expensive.

The Bundaberg Regional Council has increased its annual dog registration fees and pet owners are expressing frustration over the “wild” costs.

Bargara resident CJ, who would not share her last name for personal reasons, said she was concerned about the cost of dog registration and she and her partner paid $136 per dog this year.

Dog registration fees have increased between $2 and $4 per dog.

“My personal thoughts on the cost of dog registration, the prices are a bit wild,” she said.

She said both of her dogs were microchipped but not desexed yet, which increased the cost of registration.

Ripley and Ghost's registration cost their owners more than $250.

“The council needs to take into consideration the cost of vet appointments, vaccinations, worming, the cost to feed the dog/s and everything else that comes with it,” she said.

“I honestly don’t know what the costs go to, I’ve read from other people that the costs go to the dog parks.

“But not everyone uses them.

“We can’t get the dogs to a dog park as they are too big to fit in the car.

“So we are paying a big amount for rego and what do we get? A tag? What do the dogs get out of it?

“Maybe there should be no fee if you’re picking your dog up from the pound, provided you pay registration for the dog.

“It’s kind of ridiculous to pay a price just to have your dog in your yard, and it accidentally gets out, gets picked up and taken to the pound, and then what? You have another big fee just to get them out?

“Though yes, there are irresponsible owners who don’t care, the rest of us that try shouldn’t be punished for it.”

CJ’s partner Robert Wilson said the cost of registration was too expensive.

“I never got told what the fees were being used for except for letting us know our pet is in the pound,” Mr Wilson said.

Division 6 Councillor Carmen McEneany who is also the community, liveability, sport and recreation portfolio spokeswoman attributed the rising costs to legislative and operational requirements.

Carmen McEneany has explained the rising costs.

“The Queensland government introduced statewide legislation in 2008 making it compulsory to register all dogs under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 which does not allow lifetime registration. Council fees and charges, which include dog registration fees, are reviewed and updated on an annual basis,” she said.

Ms McEnany said dog registration fees provided valuable animal management services to the community.

“Within a 12-month period council received over 12,000 animal-related complaints from the community with approximately 250 reported dog attacks,” she said.

“Other services include reuniting lost pets with families, the provision of off-leash areas across our region and operation of council’s animal management facility which provides shelter and care for lost animals.”