Noise Complaints
Complaints about noise from barking dogs are common, and whilst it is impossible to always keep your dog quiet, it is your responsibility to ensure that it does not become a nuisance to your neighbours. If you'd like to try and talk to your neighbour about the problem first, we've made a "Dear Neighbour" letter template for you to use.
"Dear Neighbour" Letter Template
Make a Report
Dog Attacks
The Dog Act includes substantial penalties for all offences and Rangers are required to investigate attacks on people, pets and livestock. The Shire may issue Infringement Notices or instigate prosecutions if appropriate. By investigating dog attacks it ensures that the means to effectively confine your dog exist within your premises and that dangerous dogs are identified and managed accordingly.
If you have experienced a dog attack, please call the Shire immediately.
Contact Us
About Impounded Cats & Dogs
Impounded cats and dogs are kept at the pound facility in Donnybrook. If your pet is impounded, fees and charges may apply that cover food and holding them at the pound until you have collected it. Collection requirements may vary, so if your pet is missing please contact the Shire as soon as possible so that our Rangers are aware and can inform you if it is found.
Please note that an impounded cat or dog that has not been registered as required will not be released until a registration is complete. If you would like to discuss further, please contact the Shire and ask to speak with our friendly Rangers.
- If your cat or dog is not registered, you will also be required to pay the applicable registration fee.
- If your cat or dog is not microchipped, you will also be required to prepay for a microchip at your local vet and provide the microchip number at time of registration.
Dog Prohibited Areas
Dogs are prohibited absolutely, subject to Section 8 of the Act and Section 66J of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, from entering or being in any of the following places:
- Where so indicated by a sign, a public building.
- A theatre or picture gardens.
- All premises or vehicle classified as food premises or food vehicle under the Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.
- A public swimming pool.
- Within any fenced area set aside as a children’s playground.
If a dog enters or is found in a place in subclause (1), every person liable for the control of the dog is considered as having committed an offence.
Visit one of our dog exercise areas, where you are permitted to have your dog off-lead providing you have it under control:
Dog Exercise Areas
About the Cat Act 2011
- All cats over the age of six months must be sterilised, micro-chipped and registered with the Shire.
- Cats over the age of six months must be sterilised.
- Exemption to this provision may be applicable to approved/registered Cat breeders.
- Cats must be at least twelve weeks of age to be sterilised.
- Cats over the age of six months must be microchipped.
- Cats over the age of six months must be registered with their local government (all registrations are due on 31 October and can be renewed for either one year, three years, or lifetime).
- Cats must wear a collar with identification and registration tags.
View the Cat Act 2011
Wandering Cats
Whilst a cat wandering is not illegal, Council recommends that you contain your cat within the boundaries of your property for its own safety as well as that of other people and animals. There are provisions within the Cat Act for cats causing a nuisance, this can include:
- an activity or condition which is harmful or annoying and which gives rise to legal liability in the tort of public or private nuisance at law;
- an unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of a person’s ownership or occupation of land; or
- interference which causes material damage to land or other property on the land affected by the interference.
If your cat is found to be a creating a nuisance, penalties may be issued.
Catios (cat patios)
Did you know? Contained cats can live up to four times longer than roaming cats, and can live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives if all of their needs are met in the contained environment.
What is a catio?
A catio is a secure outdoor cat enclosure, or “cat patio” for your cat. They are a great way of allowing your cat to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors while keeping them safe and protecting our native wildlife. Cats are healthy and purr-fectly happy in a catio, provided it is designed to deliver mental and physical enrichment.
Top 10 benefits of a catio
Catios will support you and your cat by:
- Protecting your cat from vehicles, poisons, diseases accidents, or getting lost.
- Reducing vet bills from cat fights, ingesting toxins or injuries.
- Protecting birds and wildlife: billions of birds are killed each year by roaming cats.
- Reducing roaming populations and the issues they cause, including more roaming cats.
- Providing a healthy outdoor lifestyle with exercise, fresh air, bird watching, sunbathing, jumping, climbing and running.
- Reducing multi-cat issues with increased territory and multiple options for some ‘alone’ time.
- Enriching cat and human companionship by providing shared healthy outdoor spaces to relax in.
- Reducing indoor odours by giving outdoor toilet options.
- Improving neighbour relations – made easier when your cat stays on your side of the fence!
- Providing you with peace of mind, knowing your cat is safe in a protected and secure environment.
Catios are very common, and we encourage you to consider making one for your own property. Further information on catios can be found on the GeoCatch website and resources linked below. GeoCatch also often provides rebates for cat owners who build a catio, so consider signing up to a workshop or mailing list to be notified of an opportunity.
Visit the GeoCatch website
Building a Catio
Watch the Catio Cast
Catio Spaces & Tips