Council proposes new rules for Fraser Coast pet owners

With council officers currently knocking on doors to check if dogs are registered, a host of new proposed rules including cat registration and after-hours patrolling of beaches are also being considered. SEE THE PLANS.

Dog attacks, barking complaints, off-leash areas and the possible return of cat registration are among the topics under review as the Fraser Coast council makes new plans for animal management.

Some of these major changes are proposed in the Draft Animal Management Strategy which members of the public have just a few more days to weigh in on.

The strategy report covers a range of key concerns for pet owners including dog registration, enforcement of responsible ownership, off-leash areas, dog attacks and barking complaints.

According to the report, which is currently up for review on the council’s Engagement Hub, officers have recommended one way to improve dog registration uptake is to simplify the fee structure for owners.

Another suggestion was increased enforcement for those who do not follow the rules, and fees for returned animals which had been impounded, but not desexed or microchipped.

In a statement on Friday, the council said dog owners could already expect a “knock on the door” from officers in the coming months if they had not registered their dog or renewed.

The report referenced comments from the community about what they would like to see happen with pet registration.

One read: “Council should consider the implementation of a lifetime registration for both cats and dogs once microchipped and desexed.”

Council proposes weekend patrols to ensure responsible pet ownership.

Increasing ranger patrols, particularly in off-leash beaches and parks, was also proposed along with installing additional signage at off-leash locations.

In the report, there were mixed comments from the community.

“I think Council is better than most in providing off-leash facilities, both in terms of quality and location,” one comment read.

Another comment read: “More fenced parks with two areas, not just one area.”

One response in the report noted “more patrols/ enforcement needed along the beach” and “more enforcement of cats being kept in their own yards … they should also be registered”.

According to the report, 595 complaints were made to the council about barking dogs in 2021.

Improved local laws regarding noise nuisances were also suggested, along with using scientific noise monitoring devices to help investigate noise complaints.

Comments from the community described the current complaint process for dogs barking was “inappropriate” and “ineffective”.

Last year, there were 230 dog-attack complaints made with council, and 270 complaints for aggressive dogs.

It comes after Maryborough resident Amanda Carmichael was killed last year by three unregistered dogs.

One proposed action, was creating a team that would undergo specialist training, to specifically investigate dog attacks and aggressive domestic animals in the region.

When feedback was originally sought for the Animal Management Strategy, it attracted high community engagement and included a strong preference for cat registration (436 or 78% stated they supported the implementation of cat registration, 431 or 75% said it was important to have a consistent approach to the keeping of cats and dogs and 415 or 73% requested a reduction in roaming cats).

Late last year the council also passed a motion asking the community whether it wanted cat registration back.

The reintroduction is being considered as part of the Local law Review.

According to the Draft Animal Management Strategy, the Fraser Coast Regional Council is also among the few in the state which operate both a pound and adoption centre to reunite pets with their owners.

One comment from the community said there was an “increasing need for more facilities”.

Another read: “The staff are doing their best, but the facilities are outdated, and cats are not adequately housed.”

In the report, a new cat quarantine building was proposed (last year dozens had to be destroyed amid a cat flu outbreak) along with a review of the centre’s opening hours in order to “meet the demand of the community”.

Last year, 626 dogs and puppies were impounded, and from those, 366 were returned to their owners, and 108 were adopted or rescued.

To have your say on the proposed plan, go to www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/engagementhub