Frankston council floats compulsory ‘responsible pet ownership’ test

A Melbourne council, sick of high numbers of mistreated animals, will look to a test to weed out irresponsible owners. Anyone who fails “shouldn’t even be looking to own a pet”, one councillor says.

Pet lovers would have to pass a test to own an animal in a proposal to be considered by Victorian councils this week.

The plan, which aims to weed out irresponsible owners, would be put to the state government if approved.

Frankston council will put the compulsory “responsible pet ownership test” to the ­Municipal Association of Victoria’s state council on Friday.

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Frankston councillor Kris Bolam, who came up with the idea, said the test aimed to address the high number of animals being mistreated.

Anyone who failed “shouldn’t even be looking to own a pet”, Cr Bolam said.

“The incidences of neglect, apathy and abandonment we often hear and see through media outlets relating to animals should be a clarion call for action,” he said.

Save-A-Dog Scheme president Pam Weaver thinks practicality will override the good intentions of the pet ownership test. Picture: Janine Eastgate

“We expect parents to demonstrate capability to be responsible parents but we don’t expect the same standard when talking about pet ownership.

“As a society, we should be expecting the same level of personal investment and responsibility by budding pet owners towards their pets.”

The test could be enforced through the pet registration process or when animals were bought.

Save-A-Dog Scheme president Pam Weaver said the test would have to cover a variety of variables to be effective.

“The intention behind such a proposal is well-founded but I think practicality overrides the intention,” she said. “Pet ownership is a big responsibility that is too complicated for a generic framework.”

Cr Bolam has previously spearheaded several initiatives to promote responsible pet ownership.

The motion does not detail the types of questions owners would have to answer.

The state government currently offers elective responsible pet ownership courses.

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