Dogs
If you keep animals on the Fraser Coast they must be kept in accordance with State Legislation and our local laws.
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FREE REGISTRATION
From 1 July 2020, free registration is available for first-time registrations only, no matter the age of the animal. Free registration is provided up to the end of the current renewal period, being 31 October each year.
Animal owners MUST be 18+ years of age.
To register your dog, click here.
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Council provides a number of dog off-leash areas throughout the Fraser Coast.
These areas provide the opportunity to play, exercise and socialise leash-free with other dogs and dog park visitors.
Dog off-leash areas can include facilities such as seating, water, dog waste bins/litter bag dispensers and some shaded areas.
For more information click here.
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Every year, there are hundreds of dog attacks reported to Fraser Coast Regional Council. Owners must take precautions to avoid their dog attacking a person or animal. Owners are responsible for their pet's actions.
Dog attacks are legislated under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
Council takes all dog attacks seriously.
Dog attacks should be reported to Council by phoning 1300 79 49 29.
This number should also be used for after-hours attacks.How does Council respond to a dog attack?
- A Community Ranger will contact the complainant to confirm the details of the attack and discuss the complaint process.
- The Officer will then visit the premises where the dog is being kept to inspect the dog’s enclosure and ensure the offending dog is secured.
- The Ranger will speak to the dog’s owner if they are present, and ensure the offending dog is secured. If the dog cannot be secured and poses an immediate threat to public safety, the Officer may seize and impound the dog until the owners can be contacted.
- Once the dog is secured, the Ranger will then contact the complainant to commence the investigation process.
- The complainant can choose to provide evidence including:
- a statement of the incident
- a comprehensive list of any witnesses (name/contact number/address)
- any photos taken of injuries
- any medical/veterinary reports and receipts.
- A Ranger will contact the alleged offending dog owner to offer them the opportunity to provide a formal statement.
- The Ranger will compile an investigation report and make recommendations based on the available evidence and investigation findings.
For more information read the fact sheets below: -
Council recognises the important role pets play in the lives of many, particularly in providing companionship, security, and enhancing wellbeing.
At times, pets may be adversely impacting neighbours or other members of the community.
Communication is vital in resolving animal noise nuisance, particularly dog barking.
Council’s Community Rangers will liaise with animal owners and complainants to assist in resolving concerns, whilst ensuring compliance with relevant laws. More broadly, Community Rangers will endeavour to proactively educate the community on responsible pet ownership.
It is reasonable to expect that many dogs will bark; however, ongoing barking is often a symptom of another problem. Owners are responsible for ensuring their animals don’t cause a nuisance by making excessive noise that disrupts or inhibits any normal activity ordinarily carried out in nearby properties.
Rangers address complaints of this nature, in a fair, equitable and consistent manner.
For more details information on responsibilities, understanding behaviours, problems, strategies and the process of addressing animal noise nuisance complaints – please refer to Council’s Barking Dog Information Pack.
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Domestic Greyhounds
Animal owners can keep up to two (2) domestic (non-racing) greyhounds, over the age of three months, on a property, or one (1) domestic (non-racing) greyhound, over the age of three months, on any residential unit (residential development comprising multiple units on a single lot), multiple dwellings, accommodation units, caravan park, retirement village.
Racing Greyhounds
You can keep up to six (6) racing greyhounds on a property at any one time.
Racing greyhounds must be registered with Greyhound Racing Queensland.Registered racing greyhounds must be kept in accordance with Racing Queensland - Local Rules of Racing:
- Racing Greyhounds must be muzzled in a public place as per Greyhound Racing Queensland regulations.
- Decommissioned Greyhounds (as per Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, are not required to be muzzled under current Fraser Coast Regional Council Local Law.
To register a domestic or racing greyhound, go to our Animal Registration page.
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Criteria
Guide/Hearing or Assistance dogs are required to be registered with Council, there is certain criteria to meet when applying. If approved, the dog will be exempt from registration fees. Approved Guide/Hearing or Assistance dogs will receive a Council registration tag.
To be eligible to register a Guide/Hearing or Assistance Dog, the animal owner must have a State Government issued Identity Card or certification from a licensed mental health professional. For more information on Guide, Hearing or assistance dogs visit https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/out-and-about/ghad/choosing-ghad
Guide, hearing or assistance dogs are not to be confused with a therapy/emotional support/companion dogs. Such dogs are not considered as an assistance or service dog, as the owner may not have a disability and/or the dog has not been trained to undertake specific, identifiable tasks and behaviours to reduce the person's need for support. The dog is therefore not recognised under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009.
For approval to keep a Guide/Hearing or Assistance Dog, complete this form.
Guide/Hearing Dogs
Owners with sight or hearing disabilities can apply to have a Guide/Hearing dog.
When leaving home, Guide/Hearing owners will need to clearly and visibly display their Identify Card and ensure the Guide/Hearing dog is wearing a harness or identifying coat.
Assistance Dogs
When leaving home, Assistance Dog owners will need to clearly display their Identify Card and ensure the Assistance Dog is wearing an identifying coat.
Types of Assistance Dogs include:
- Physical Disability Service Dog
- Autism Service Dog
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Service Dog
- Dogs4Dementia
- Educational Support Dog
- Facility Support Dog
For more information visit: www.assistancedogs.org.au and click on 'Apply for a Dog' or phone 1800 688 364 -
You must not keep a restricted dog unless the Fraser Coast Regional Council has issued you a restricted dog permit.
Under the Customs Act 1901, the following breeds are restricted dogs:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
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If you are having an issue with wild dogs or dingoes, please contact Customer Service on 1300 79 49 29.
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Working Dogs
Working dogs are required to be registered with Council, and upon approval are exempt from registration fees.
Approved Working dogs will receive a Council registration tag. If you have not applied for a working dog status your animal is considered to be a domestic dog and requires registration and microchipping.
To be eligible to register a Working Dog, the animal must meet the below definitions:- A dog usually kept or proposed to be kept on rural land; and
- A dog usually kept by an owner who is a primary producer, or a person engaged or employed by a primary producer; and
- A dog primarily kept for the purpose of droving – protecting, tending, or working stock; or
- A dog being trained in droving, protecting, tending, or working stock; and
- Does not include a class of dog prescribed under a regulation.
Primary Producer - means a person primarily engaged in the occupation of;
a) dairy farmer; wheat, maize, cereal grower; cane grower; fruit grower; grazier; farmer, engaged in general or mixed farming, cotton, potato, vegetable growing, or poultry or pig raising; and
b) includes a person engaged in primary production.
For Working Dog status approval, complete this form and submit at one of our Customer Service Centres. -
Pursuant to the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008, a local government is required to keep a dog registry that is open to the public that comprises of particular information about dogs usually kept within the local government area.
This register will be automatically updated here on a monthly basis.
Should you wish to obtain a copy of the register in another file format, please contact Council on 1300 79 49 29. -
An approved inspection program provides fair and equitable identification and enforcement of legislative and local law requirements.
Properties will be inspected to determine compliance with the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 and Local Law No.2 (Animal Management) 2011 concerning:
- Dog registration;
Officers will be dressed in Council uniform that clearly displays the Council logo and will carry official identification.
Inspection dates
The door-knock program will commence on 1 March 2024 and run through to 31 August 2024. Inspections will be conducted between 6am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
Click here to view the Formal Approved Inspection Program Notice.
- Dog registration;
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Council acknowledges the significant role pets, particularly dogs, play in enriching the lives of our community members. However, it's crucial to ensure responsible management of visiting dogs in accordance with local laws.
Visiting dogs are those temporarily housed in our area, either accompanying travellers or staying with friends or family for short durations.
There are two types of visiting dogs:
- Dogs registered in another local government area but residing temporarily within the Fraser Coast Region. These dogs can stay for up to four weeks without specific approval.
- Dogs registered within the Fraser Coast Region but residing temporarily on another property within the same region. These dogs can stay for up to 14 consecutive days without requiring specific approval.
Throughout their stay, owners must ensure their dogs comply with all relevant laws regarding pet ownership, including noise control, enclosure management, and effective control requirements.