News

Council to consider proposed Domestic Animal Management Plan

11 May 2022

A proposed Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-26 will be considered by Council for adoption at its meeting on 17 May 2022. The Plan has been updated following community consultation in March-April 2022.

Council meeting: Tuesday 17 May 2022 6:30 pm

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Consultation on the draft Plan

We heard from 584 community members – most of whom have pets (78%) – during consultation on key actions in the draft DAMP 2022-26.

Key topics:

Cat containment

  • Most survey participants (66%) were opposed to a four-year transition to cat containment. However, when asked about preferred approaches to cat containment: 46% of respondents supported either full containment (indoors or in an enclosure) (19%) or outdoors during the day on their owner’s property only (no enclosure) (27%).
  • Non-pet owners were more supportive of cat containment (52%), including requirements for enclosures when outdoors (47%).
  • Strict containment, such as enclosures or escape-proof fencing, was viewed by many to be cruel, cost prohibitive particularly for older and low-income residents, and that more education was needed not enforcement.

Beach restrictions review

  • Around a third of respondents wanted a review of beach restrictions to lead to more year round dog off-leash beaches, while a similar number did not want beach restrictions to be reviewed at all.

Effective actions for encouraging responsible pet ownership

Survey participants viewed the following proposed actions as being extremely or very effective for promoting responsible ownership or reducing negative experiences with pets in the community.

  • Regular registration days that offer free first registration for new pets (47%)
  • Offer standard (desexed) rate to all puppies for first year of registration (46%)
  • Promote training of dogs through awareness of providers and incentives (such as subsidised training, registration discounts) (46%)
  • Review the locations of dog poo bag dispensers and refilling schedule (56%) and promote locations (51%)
  • Increase targeted patrols of reserves and foreshore (summer and sports seasons) (45%)
  • Review barking dog complaint process and incorporate technology for evidence gathering (44%).
More on Phase 2 consultation survey results

What’s changed in the DAMP?

In response to community feedback, the proposed DAMP has been amended to:

Clarify the approach to cat containment

  • To enhance the safety of cats and native wildlife and reduce cat nuisance from roaming, the proposed DAMP will strengthen cat restrictions over four years. Increased restrictions are proposed to be implemented in year 4 (2025–26) and will require all owners of cats to keep their cat on their property and not allow their cat to wander beyond the owner’s property at any time. There is no requirement for outdoor enclosures or escape proof fencing proposed. These increased restrictions for cats are consistent with the current requirements for dogs. The existing night curfew will remain in place, requiring the confinement of cats between 8pm and 6am or between 9pm and 6am during daylight savings.

Prioritise ‘most effective’ actions

The following actions are proposed to be undertaken earlier in the four-year DAMP:

  • Review dog poo bag dispenser locations and refilling schedule now in year three
  • Review registration fees combined with a review of the current desexing rebate program to help increase early puppy and kitten registrations now in year two
  • Develop a program to encourage training of dogs through awareness, education, and incentives now in year two.

A new activity has also been included to publish key service statistics quarterly on Council’s website.

Read the proposed Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-26