Dog registration inspection program starting soon

Fraser Coast dog owners have been praised for their good behaviour with less than 10 per cent of owners yet to reregister their pets.

“Council issued just over 20,000 dog registration notices last year and about 3,000 owners did not respond, but after we sent out reminder notices recently, there are now only 1750 unpaid registrations,” Cr Zane O’Keefe said.

At its meeting this week (Wednesday, 23 March), Council approved the annual dog registration inspection program to start on 4 May and run through to the end of October.

Council staff and contractors conducting the inspections will visit homes across the region between 7am and 5pm Monday to Saturday.

While officers hope to complete the inspection without having to enter a property, they do have power under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 to enter a property.

Cr O’Keefe said registering animals had benefits for owners.

“If an animal is found wandering or is taken to the pound, registered dogs can be reunited with their owners very quickly,” he said.

“It is harder to reunite dogs with their owners when they are unregistered or not microchipped, or the information on the microchip is out of date.

“It is important those details are kept up to date with Council and the group which holds their pet’s microchip data.

“And remember, if you have a new dog, registration is free the first time you register your animal in the Fraser Coast region.”

Owners found with an unregistered dog are liable for the $275 fine, as well as the cost of registration.

Dog registration fees help pay for animal management staff; as well as provide education programs and facilities such as the two pounds, fenced off-leashed areas and free doggy doo bags that are placed in dispensers along the foreshore and puppy playgrounds.

If you have not reregistered you pet, or your pet’s details have changed, especially if it has passed away, please contact Council on 1300 79 49 29 and talk to a Customer Service Officer.

For more information, visit https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/animals-and-pets