To view or download this policy as a PDF click Community and General Policies Documents

Purpose

To improve the health and control of dogs and other animals in a culturally sensitive way; and, to achieve and maintain a long-term reduction in animal numbers with regular veterinarian visits and educational programs. Council recognises that companion animals form part of the Central Desert Regional Council community, contributing to the general quality of life.

Scope

This policy applies to community residents; including staff and Council members who live on community.

Definition and Terms

CDRC: Central Desert Regional Council.

Council Member: Any person that is elected or appointed to Council, a Local Authority or a Council committee.

Management: For the purposes of this policy includes all people who are responsible for the workplace and includes anyone who supervises staff.

Staff: Includes Council employees, apprentice or trainee, students gaining work experience, volunteers, contractors or subcontractors, employees of a contractor or subcontractor or an employee of a labour hire company.

Customer: A person who directly accesses Central Desert Regional Council goods, services or advice.

Legislation and Reference

This document should be read in conjunction with the following documents:

NT Local Government Act 2019
Central Desert Regional Council Regional Plan 2018-22
Northern Territory Animal Welfare Act
Northern Territory Public and Environmental Health Act
RSPCA Australia policies
Central Desert Regional Council Work Health and Safety Procedures

Policy Statement

CDRC will develop and implement a Dog Management Program for the care and management of dogs to protect the health, safety, and environment of the community. This program will include:

• Delivery of twice-yearly vet visits to each community, town and outstation in the CDRC local government area.
• Educational programs within schools on responsible pet ownership
• Education delivered to each community – animal health, welfare, management including benefits of de-sexing.
• Community consultation and education where required in relation to animal control issues

The Dog Management Program will have the following key performance indicators:

• reduce the negative impacts (including dog attacks, menace and nuisance) by companion animals in the community and the environment;
• the incidence of dog created health infections to reduce; and
• achieve an acceptable level of dog / cat numbers and health in communities and outstations, with an initial goal of no more than four dogs per household.
• identified education sessions – news stories via CSM/CCS or via Vets report.

Council does not allow the keeping or presence of animals in the following Animal Restriction Areas: Council offices, landfill sites, libraries, Council depots and visitor accommodation.

Staff are restricted to not more than two dogs per household, which will be reflected in a housing lease; and are not permitted other pets.

All residents who have dogs must maintain sound fencing around their property, and keep gates closed so that dogs do not wander without supervision.

Contractors, and other short-term visitors to communities, are not permitted to bring pets onto the community.

Vicious Dogs

Council does not have jurisdiction over the management of vicious dogs in the absence of by-laws – Council will refer the matter to NT Police or Department of Animal Welfare for their intervention. Council has identified the following processes to be followed in the event that a dog;

• has without provocation either rushed at or chased another person or has bitten another animal causing an injury, although not a serious injury.
• has without provocation caused serious injury or death to a person or another animal by biting or attacking.
• has acted in a way without provocation that caused fear to a person or another animal.

1. When there has been a dog attack Council will
   • 1.1 Assist victim or residents to first make a report to NT Police
   • 1.2 Assist in the identification of the dog owner
   • 1.3 Convene a meeting between the victim or community residents and the owner to amicably resolve the issue prior to formal prosecution
   • 1.4 Attempt to persuade the animal’s owner to consent to destroying the animal prior to the prosecution
   • 1.5 Victim or residents to follow up action with NT Police – If no conclusion or intervention is taken by NT Police and the dog continues to be vicious
   • 1.6 Council may assist the victim or their family or residents to apply to the Magistrates Court to declare the animal to be dangerous and move to have the animal put down provided conditions in 1.5 are met
2. It is important to note that Council will not complete the court paperwork and it is the responsibility of the victim, their family or community nominated representative
3. If the dog is causing greater public risk to all residents and multiple police reports have been filed for the same dog, Council will on behalf of all residents apply to the Magistrates Court for the animal to be put down with written petition signed by residents in support of this action
   • 3.1 If the victim is a Council employee, Council will follow the same process for residents (1.1-1.4) and due to its WHS, obligations in these cases will apply for the Magistrates Court to intervene as the employer
4. The Chief Executive Officer is the only person who can make all Magistrate Court applications on behalf of Council in animal management related matters
   • 4.1 A Council resolution is required prior to the CEO making court applications for community residents, as legal and reputational costs will likely be incurred.

Review History