Great Lakes Council Rangers were forced to issue seven fines for offences relating to irresponsible dog ownership in July and are urging people to ensure they comply with dog ownership laws and avoid fines.
“Rangers don’t want to fine people, and in fact, the Rangers issued eight cautions without fines to dog owners in July, only resorting to fines when owners continued to do the wrong thing” said Council’s Manager of Waste, Health and Regulatory Services, Mr John Cavanagh.
The laws are there for valid reasons, to keep children and others in our community safe, to maintain clean and healthy suburban areas and waterways and to prevent roaming dogs from pestering people.
If you own a dog, you are required by law to microchip your dog by 12 weeks of age or at point of sale, and register your dog by the age of 6 months.
A dog must be kept under effective control at all times in public places by way of a chain, cord or leash that is attached to a person excepting in leash free areas, where you are still expected to have effective control of your dog whilst not being on a leash.
You must pick up after your dog and dispose of dog faeces appropriately.
Overall for all offences in the Great Lakes in July, Council rangers issued a total of 19 fines and 52 verbal cautions.
“Given our population of almost 36,000 people, it is pleasing that we have such extremely low numbers of fines and cautions” said Mr Cavanagh.
“The vast majority of people in the Great Lakes do the right thing and enjoy a wonderful, clean environment and safe community – and we want to keep it that way” he added.
“We hope people take a verbal caution seriously, because the next option is getting a fine” said Mr Cavanagh.
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