Animal Management in the Shoalhaven

• Access Areas for Dogs - on leash, off leash and prohibited areas (795Kb PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Barking Dogs
• Cats
• Dangerous Dogs and Restricted Breeds
• Dog Attack
• Dog Defecation
• Identification and Registration - Companion Animals Register
• Missing Dog or Cat
• Pets on Holiday Accommodation and Boarding Kennels (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Roaming Dogs
• Shoalhaven Animal Shelter and Pound (Link external to RSPCA)
• Shoalhaven Animal Management Services Directory
• Strategic Companion Animals Management Plan (SCAMP)
• Stray Dogs
• Surrender Dog or Cat
• Indian Myna Birds

Barking Dogs

If your neighbour’s dog is barking we suggest that you approach your neighbour and inform them of the problem that their dog is creating. If you cannot find a mutually acceptable solution to this problem, you may wish to seek the assistance of the Community Justice Centre (CJC) to mediate a solution. The service is free, confidential, easy to use and can be conducted at local venues. Phone 4228 0433 or toll free on 1800 650 987.

Council may also try to help, in which case you should inform us of the problem and the reasons why you believe that the dog is barking. After the initial complaint is received and if there is sufficient evidence, we will issue a letter to the owner advising them of the problem. If subsequent complaints are received an Environmental Officer from Council’s Development and Environmental Services Group will then further investigate the situation. We may also talk to other people living in your street to see if they have a problem with the noise.

If we are satisfied that there is a noise problem and it is impacting on the neighbourhood, a Nuisance Dog Order may be served on the owner. The persons complaining will be required to keep a log on the barking events and sign a statutory declaration that the nuisance exists. If the noise nuisance does not improve, Council can issue up to two penalty fines, before taking the matter to court. For this to occur statutory declarations are required to be submitted by you to the Officer with a record of when and for how long the dog causes a noise nuisance.

This will be used as evidence and you must be willing to attend court as a witness if required. However, in this situation, the court may only issue a fine to the owner and the dog may still remain on the property. Alternatively, you can approach the Chamber Magistrate at your local court and obtain a Noise Abatement Order under Section 52 of the Noise Control Act. This will be issued if it is found that the noise is affecting the occupation of your premises. This Order specifies measure to ensure that the nuisance does not occur again.

Further enquires, contact 4429 3453 or 4429 3431

Cats

Roaming Cat - There are no restrictions on cats roaming other than in prohibited areas such as wildlife areas or food preparation/consumption areas as outlined in the Companion Animals Act.

Stray Cat - There is no definition for stray cat in the Companion Animals Act.

Nuisance Cat - The Companion Animals Act defines nuisance in relation to cats as:

1. makes a noise that persistently occurs or continues to such a degree or extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience or any person in any other premises, or
2. repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.

If an authorised officer of Council is satisfied that a cat is a nuisance, the owner of the cat can be issued with a nuisance order.

Cat attacking - Under Section 32 of the Companion Animals Act a person may lawfully seize a cat if that action is reasonable or necessary for the protection of any person or animal, other than vermin, from injury or death. Any cat seized or trapped must be returned to the owner (if known) or delivered to an authorised officer or to the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter and Pound.

Nothing in Section 32 authorises a contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

Identification - A cat must wear a form of identification that enables Council to ascertain the name of the cat and the address or telephone number of the owner.

Council encourages owners to keep their cat indoors and in an enclosure outside. This will keep your cat safe and protect the wildlife.

Further enquires on 4429 3433.  

Dangerous Dogs and Restricted Breeds

If you own a restricted breed or a dog declared dangerous and need information on requirements or if you know of someone who owns a restricted breed or dangerous dog and you believe they may not be complying with the requirements please contact us for further information on 4429 3433.

Restricted Breeds

Dogo Argentino  (Argentinian Fighting Dog)

Breed History

One of the few breeds developed in South America, the Dogo Argentino is the result of a breeding programme undertaken in the 1920s by an Argentinian breeder, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, to produce a puma and jaguar hunter.

Key Facts First use: Game hunting, dog fighting. Use today: Companion. Life expectancy: 10-11 years. Weight range: 36-45 kg. Height range: 61-69 cm.

Japanese Tosa (Tosa Fighting Dog / Japanese Fighting Dog)

Breed History

Initially bred in Japan's Kochi Prefecture, from crosses between native Shikoku fighting dogs and imported mastiffs, Great Danes, bulldogs, and bull terriers, this breed was once called the Japanese Mastiff.

Key Facts First use: Dog fighting. Use today: Companion. Life expectancy: 9-11 years. Weight range: 89.5-90.5 kg. Height range: 62-65 cm.

Fila Brasiliairo (Brazilian Mastiff / Brazilian Fighting Dog)

Breed History

One of Brazil's two native breeds (the other one being the rare Brazilian Tracker), this powerful mastiff was developed from Spanish and Portuguese mastiffs and Bloodhounds in order to track and control livestock and large game.

Key Facts First use: Tracking, large game hunting. Use today: Companion, security. Life expectancy: 9-11 years. Weight range: 41-50 kg. Height range: 61-76 cm.

American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier.

Breed History

Throughout the World dogs have, at one time or another, been bred to fight. This breed descends from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossed with other fighting dogs, including the extinct fighting Bulldog.

Key Facts First use: Dog fighting. Use today: Companion. Life expectancy: 12 years. Weight range: 14-36 kg. Height range: 46-56 cm.

Dog Attack

Contact Council on 4429 3433 with details including:

1. Date and time and location of the attack
2. Description of the dog eg. colour, breed, size
3. Details of the dog's owner (if possible)

If we can identify the dog and determine where it came from, legal action may be taken.

Please contact the Police if the incident occurs after hours.

Dog Defecation

It is an offence not to remove dog faeces on public land. The penalty is $275.

Amenity, Health & Environment

A person’s overall enjoyment and impression of a public place can be reduced by previous users being inconsiderate.

Dog faeces are associated with the spread of pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria, viruses and parasites to humans.

Dog faeces has a high phosphorus level which can pollute waterways and impact on our natural environment. The nutrient imbalance can help to produce algal blooms in waterways.

Further enquires on 4429 3433.

Identification and Registration - Companion Animals Register

1. In NSW all puppies and dogs, kittens and cats (including those sold or given away), must be identified (microchipped) by 12 weeks of age or at point of sale.
2. All dogs and cats must be lifetime registered by 6 months of age at one of Council's Administrative offices. The registration is a one-off payment and is for the life of the animal residing in NSW.

NOTE: Cats born before July 1999 must be identified by either a microchip or a collar and tag. They do not have to be lifetime registered.

Exception: Cats born before July 1999 must be identified by either a microchip or a collar and tag. They do not have to be lifetime registered. If there is a change of ownership this exception does not apply and the owner must comply with steps 1 and 2.

If your circumstances change you must notify any NSW Council within:

• 14 days of any change to the identification and registration details, e.g. if you move or the dog or cat is adopted by someone else;
• 28 days of the dog or cat dying;
• 4 days of the dog or cat going missing.

Further enquires on 4429 3433.

Missing Dog or Cat

Contact Council on 4429 3433 with details including:

1. Date and time and the location where the animal went missing
2. Description of the dog or cat eg. colour, breed, size, name, age, gender
3. Microchip Number
4. Your contact details

We will notify our animal management officers and the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter at West Nowra. We will also check the NSW Companion Animals Register to ensure your details are up-to-date on the register.

You can also contact the local media, vet clinics and any other outlets in your area which you think may be able to assist you.
Under the Companion Animals Act you are required to notify any NSW Council within four days of the dog or cat going missing – this information is then entered onto the NSW Companion Animals Register.

Please also notify Council when you find your animal so the Companion Animals Register can be updated.

Roaming Dogs

Contact Council on 4429 3433 and provide details including:

1. The location of the dog;
2. A full description of the dog. eg. colour, breed, size;
3. The identity and address of the owner of the dog (if possible).

If we can identify the owner of the roaming dog, the appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the Companion Animals Act.

If we cannot locate the dog or determine the owner, we suggest you contact us the next time you see the dog with as much information as possible.

Stray Dogs

If a dog turns up at your house or follows you home, we will then refer this to the animal management officer who will attend your premises and scan the animal for a microchip. If the owner can be located the animal will be returned home. If there is no identification the animal will be taken to the Shoalhaven Animal Shelter. Alternatively, you can take the animal to the Animal Shelter located at West Nowra. It is recognised as the central point for collection of stray or abandoned animals in the Shoalhaven and provides the best chance for a dog or cat to be reunited with his/her owner. It is an offence under the Companion Animals Act to keep an animal that does not belong to you.

Surrender Dog or Cat

If you need to surrender your animal contact Council’s Animal Shelter (operated by the RSPCA) on 4429 3410.

Indian Myna Birds

Shoalhaven now has several volunteer coordinators for most towns and villages to assist you if you have concerns about myna birds. To obtain the telephone number of the coordinator in your area contact Anna Hernell on 4429 3578.

Learn more about the myna birds by accessing websites below:

Information on mynas

www.indianmynaaction.org.au

http://sres.anu.edu.au/associated/myna/index.html

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/
 

Euthanasia guidelines

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/humane-control.html

Download BIR002 Trapping of pest birds

Download GEN001 Methods of euthanasia