Wyndham council vows to tackle rapid raise in dangerous dog complaints

The number of dangerous dogs wandering Wyndham is rapidly rising as council vows to protect its most vulnerable — children. Find out how.

The City of Wyndham has vowed to step up visible ranger patrols around schools, playgrounds and wetlands as the number of complaints about aggressive dogs rapidly escalates.

A survey of residents ahead of the 2021 Domestic Animal Management Plan, found residents were most concerned about community safety around off-lead dogs and those “wandering” the streets.

Complaints to the city have risen 58 per cent in the past three years to 171 in 2020/2021, with 136 dog attacks also reported during the period.

Wyndham’s director of city operations, Stephen Thorpe, said most reported incidents had led to infringements being issued or the implementation of animal management plans, but some owners had opted to surrender dogs.

He said only one resident had been prosecuted by the council over the past year, a 21-year-old Point Cook resident, who was fined $10,000 after her two unregistered dogs escaped and killed a neighbour’s dog in September.

At the time, the Werribee Magistrate’s Court heard the young owner was “traumatised” and may never feel safe in her backyard again.

Both dogs were returned to the owner after she signed a strict animal management plan which included a locked backyard enclosure and muzzle requirements.

The four-year plan, which was unanimously endorsed at the council meeting on October 26, identified a steady increase in complaints about aggressive dogs over the past three years.

During the 2020/2021 financial year, Wyndham residents lodged 171 complaints with the council, a 58 per cent rise from 2018/2019.

Ms Susan McIntyre said the key solutions identified during community consultation were increasing patrols and ranger visibility and education for dog owners that ignore leash-only signs.

“We have over 28,000 dogs and cats registered in this city … this plan will contribute to the health and well being of the wider community,” she said.

Mr Thorpe said ranger patrols would concentrate around “vulnerable areas”, such as schools, playground and wetlands, alongside normal patrol duties.

“The plan promotes responsible pet ownership, encourages pet registration and aims to minimise the risk of attack by dogs and nuisance caused by animals,” he said.

Council rangers say the owners of 29 dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs within the municipality show “very high” compliance during regular audits.