Responsible dog ownership

Responsible Owner status replaced Special Owner status and was approved by Council in June 2011. The reason for changing the dog’s classification is to better protect dog owners and others from dogs that have previously escaped their property, roamed, or rushed at or attacked people who were visiting their home.

Reduced registration fees are available to those dog owners who meet the responsible owner status criteria.

To be classed as a ‘Responsible Dog Owner’, Owners must submit an application form to demonstrate that they have met all of the following criteria for the previous 12-consecutive months:

These criteria are:

• you can demonstrate good control over your dog if an Animal Control Officer inspects your property
• you have not been issued with any infringement notice within the last 12 months
• you have not had any dog impounded more than once within the last 12 months
• you keep your dog(s) securely contained within your property and allow people access to a door of your residence without encountering the dog(s)
• you have signs erected on or near the front entrance of your property alerting to the presence of your dog(s) or
• you register your dog(s) by 1 August of each year.

Request to receive Responsible owner status