Media Release - Animal Attacks Concern for Community

Since March this year Council has received 302 animal complaints, with 242 (80%) of these complaints directly related to dogs and included incidences of roaming, threatening behaviour and attacks.

Out of the 242 dog complaints, 11 related to actual attacks on people resulting in the need for medical treatment. A further 37 attacks recorded were on native wildlife, poultry and other dogs.

Mayor Ramon Jayo has said ‘When you look at those statistics, the tougher stance being adopted by Council towards animal management and control is well justified and is in fact what the community at large is demanding of Council. Animal owners have a duty of care and legal obligation to ensure that their animals are adequately controlled at all times and do not cause harm or nuisance within the community’.

As specified under Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2012, minimum standards for the keeping of animals include ensuring animal enclosures are properly maintained and all reasonable steps are taken to prevent the animal from creating a nuisance or disturbance to the occupiers of adjoining premises or premises in the vicinity of the land on which the animal is ordinarily kept.

‘Animals which are not adequately controlled will be impounded at the owner’s expense’, Cr Jayo said. 

For more information regarding the Minimum Standards Required for Keeping Dogs, please see the attached fact sheet or visit Council’s website, Pets and Animals page.