All about dogs

Download the "All about dogs" factsheet

In 2007 there were 4440 dogs registered in the City of Yarra.

Council encourages everyone to be responsible pet owners. This includes registering your dog with Council, picking up after your dog, making sure your dog is well fed and gets regular exercise, having good control of your dog at home and in public, making sure your dog gets vaccinated, wormed and desexed, training your dog, and obeying on-leash and off-leash areas in Yarra.

Picking up dog poo
Dogs in public
Dogs at home
Number of dogs allowed in your home
Menacing and dangerous dogs
Dogs and children
Barking dogs

Pick up dog poo
Under Council’s Local Law No2, owners are required to pick up after their dogs and carry a litter device, like a plastic bag, at all times when in a public place. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

As part of encouraging responsible pet ownership Council has available for residents free dog pooper scoopers and plastic bag dispensers. To collect your free litter device phone Council on 9205 5063.

Dog poo in public places is a nuisance because no one likes to step in it. This issue also impacts on people working in local parks using equipment like lawn mowers. 

Other problems caused by dog poo include contamination of waterways and beaches especially following periods of heavy rain. The bacteria and nutrients in dog poo are a major source of e-coli and algae contaminants. Dog poo also contains roundworm eggs, which are harmful to humans. Up to 12 children a year in Australia are blinded after coming in contact with dog faeces.  

Dogs in public
It should be noted that it is an offence under the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 to allow your dog to be at large outside the owner’s premises. Dogs are required to be under effective control by means of a leash on any road, footway or Council land, except when in a designated off-leash park or in a designated off-leash area in a multi-zone park. There are also some parks in Yarra where dogs are not permitted.

In off-leash areas and parks dogs must also be kept under control. You need to carry a leash (less than two metres) with you and be able to call you dog under control at any time. Your dog must not wander or roam without you around.

To prevent accidents with walkers and cyclists in these areas you must keep your dog on a leash at all times when you are on a shared pathway. 

For more information about on-leash, off-leash and multi use parks in Yarra contact Council on 9205 5063.

Dogs at home
It should be noted that it is an offence under the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 if a dog is not securely confined when on the owner’s premises. Legally, visitors must also have safe access to your front door, without being stopped by your dog.

This means your yard must have a closed gate and an escape proof fence that your dog can not jump, get through or under. Fines can be issued if your dog can get out even if it doesn’t actually leave the property. Fines can also be issued if your dog leaves the property.

Most dog attacks occur on the footpath or road outside a dog’s home, where the dog feels most territorial. You are liable if your dog attacks a person or animal outside or on your property. Confining dogs properly at home prevents dog attacks and keeps your dog safe.

Make sure your dog is adequately cared for if you are away on holidays. Get a friend or relative to mind your dog while you are away or book your dog into a shelter or dog home.

Number of dogs allowed
If you live in a house you are allowed to keep:

• Two dogs over six months old
• Four dogs under six months old.

If you live in a unit or flat you are allowed to keep:

• One dog over six months old
• Three dogs under six months old.

Menacing/dangerous dogs
Being a responsible pet owner means in many cases having a happy, healthy and well behaved dog. If your dog misbehaves and rushes at or chases someone Council can issue fines and declare your dog to be a menace or dangerous. There are very strict controls on the housing, exercising and ownership of menacing/dangerous dogs. For more information on menacing/dangerous dogs or guard dogs for non-residential properties, phone Council on 9205 5063 or the Bureau of Animal Welfare on 9217 4228.

For information on restricted dog breeds, contact the Department of Primary Industries on 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animal.

Dogs and children
Most dogs are loyal and trustworthy companions but if your dog is not used to children it should be introduced to them under careful supervision. Some helpful hints for safety around dogs:

• Never approach a dog without permission from the owner
• Approach a dog slowly with the back of your hand extended, fingers curled under and allow the dog to sniff
• Stroke dogs gently on the chest, shoulder or under the chin, never top of the head
• Avoid approaching dogs that are sleeping or eating
• Stand very still if you are approached by a strange dog.

Barking Dogs
If you have a complaint about a barking dog you can register your complaint with Council by calling 9205 5063. Council may talk to the dog owner, issue a formal notice for the dog to stop barking, issue fines, or if the problem persists possibly take legal action.

You may be asked to keep a diary for a few weeks to record how often the dog barks and get support from other neighbours. For further advice on what to do about a neighbour’s barking dog contact the Dispute Settlement Centre on 9603 8370.

There are many reasons why a dog barks and many things you can do if you have a barking dog. To stop your dog barking you can try:

• Taking the dog for more walks and giving them more exercise
• Making your backyard more interesting with toys and things to chew on
• Taking your dog to obedience classes
• Blocking your dog’s view of passers by
• Taking your dog to the vet for a check up
• Seeking professional advice from a dog trainer. 

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Further information

Community Amenity
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5063
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Yarra City Council

 

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214

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