Fraser Coast council cracks down on dog registration

Dog owners across the Fraser Coast have been put on notice by a council intent on enforcing responsible dog ownership in the wake of the pandemic.

The Fraser Coast council is tracking down dog owners who have not updated their pets’ registration recently.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council is cracking down on dog registrations, with more than 5000 homes surveyed as a part of the annual dog registration inspection program.

With the spike in pet ownership nationwide during the pandemic, Hervey Bay councillor Zane O’Keefe said it was important people who had bought or adopted pets were taking up the responsible pet ownership mantle and ensuring their companions were registered and microchipped.

“Having a dog can provide a lot of enjoyment and companionship but also comes with commitments and responsibilities, including ensuring they are registered every year as required under Queensland Government legislation,” Mr O’Keefe said.

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Mr O’Keefe stressed how essential it was that microchip and registration details were kept up to date with the council and the group holding the microchip data.

“If an animal is found wandering or is taken to the pound, registered dogs can be reunited with their owners very quickly,” he said.

“It is harder to reunite dogs with their owners when they are unregistered or not microchipped, or the information on the microchip is outdated.

“Dog registration fees also help pay for animal management, training programs and provide for improved access to dog-friendly open spaces.”

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The inspection program will run until the end of September.

During this time, council staff will be conducting inspections on homes across the region, between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

“Council’s efforts to encourage responsible pet ownership have already paid off with 22,167 dogs now registered,” Mr O’Keefe said.

“Sometimes people get lost in the system because they move house, or unfortunately their pet passes away, and they forget to contact council to update their details,” Mr O’Keefe said. “If you have registered a dog and didn’t receive a renewal notification, please contact council as soon as you can so we can ensure your details are up to date.”

The Fraser Coast region offers free registration, when residents are registering their pet for the first time.

“A common misconception is that pets registered for life in other states do not have to be registered here,” Mr O’Keefe said. “Some new residents did not know they were limited to two dogs per house unless they applied for more.”

A council spokesperson said anyone who had not re-registered their pet, or whose pet’s details had changed “especially if they have passed away” should contact the council on 1300 79 49 29 and talk to a Customer Service Officer.