Local Laws / Animal Management
Things to remember when paying:
-
Cannot use credit card over the phone for payments (Council must swipe credit card/eftpos card through the machine).
- Payment to be made either - at Council's offices - Esk, Lowood or Kilcoy or
- Bpay over the internet - must be an existing animal owner as the Biller code and reference number comes up on your dog/cat renewal notices or by
- Cheque or money order - posted into Council.
- If you are a new owner or you are an existing owner with a new cat/dog and the cat/dog is desexed Council must have a copy of the desexing papers or a stat dec has to be processed otherwise the animals must go through as being an entire cat/dog.
- If owner is a pensioner you must come into one of our offices so that we can sight your pension card.
Download Dog & Cat Registration Form
Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008
How it will affect you ?
The State Government has introduced new legislation to encourage responsible pet ownership, effectively manage cats and dogs and enhance community safety. Councils throughout Queensland must implement new animal management programs that comply with the new Act.
From 1 July 2009:
- all cats must be registered with your local council
- all cats and dogs must be tattooed by a vet upon desexing (desexing is encouraged but not compulsory)
- microchipping is mandatory for all:
- cats and dogs born after 1 July 2009. These animals must be microchipped before 12 weeks of age
- cats and dogs that are sold or given away
- declared regulated dogs (ie declared dangerous dogs and declared menacing dogs).
Cats and dogs born before 1 July 2009 do not need to be microchipped, only those born or transferred after 1 July 2009. Have your animals microchipped by a registered vet after eight weeks of age.
For more information on the new Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008: http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/catsanddogs
Phone: 1800 467 561
Lost Animals
If your pet becomes lost it is important to contact Council as soon as possible.
Disclaimer - The information contained in this site is provided as a service by Somerset Regional Council. This page is normally updated each working day, however there may be times when this information is not updated.
If you wish to confirm any information relating to impounded animals please contact the Regulatory Services Section of Somerset Regional Council on 54244000 between the hours of 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
View Impounded Animals (Click on this link, Adobe Reader is required to view this document)
Animal Laws and Conditions
If you keep an animal, you need to be informed.
The Animals Local Law 2006 and Somerset Regional Council Planning Scheme has provisions for keeping:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horses
- Poultry
- Goats and Sheep
- Pigs
DOGS
As a dog owner it is your responsibility to ensure your dog is healthy, safe, well cared for and does not create a nuisance in your neighbourhood.
What regulations do dog owners need to know?
You may keep a maximum of two dogs on your property as long as they are registered.
If you want to keep more than two dogs you must make application to Council for a kennel and have a land area of at least 10 hectares. (Working dogs exempt see council for more information and requirements for working dogs).
If you want to breed your dogs you must have approval for a kennel. Dogs kept within a Council approved kennel are not required to be registered.
New residents need to register their dog/s within 21 days of moving to a residence within the Shire (unless approved working dogs). Contact Council for more information.
You must keep your dog securely contained inside your property and keep it on a leash when in public places.
If your dog attacks a person or another animal, you will have to pay a heavy fine and your dog may be declared dangerous. For more information on Council's policies and laws phone Council on 07 5424 4000.
If you own a dog, you must follow these requirements
(Fees valid from 1 July 2009)
|
Requirements |
Fines for breaching requirements |
| Register your dog with Somerset Regional Council when it is three months old and every year after | $200 |
| Keep your dog in your yard | $200 |
| Walk your dog on a leash when you're in public (except in dog off leash areas). | $200 |
| Pick up and dispose of your dog's droppings when you walk your dog | $200 |
| Don't let your dog attack or frighten people or animals | $400, or a court fine of up to $5000 - remove animal |
| Control your dog's barking | $200 - $500 - removal |
| If you keep more than two dogs as pets you must hold kennel development approval | $500 - removal of excess dogs |
| Fail to comply with a compliance notice | $500 |
Paying your fine
If you receive a fine, you have 28 days from the issue date to pay the fine or to appeal it.
Controlling your dog's barking
You could be fined if your dog's barking exceeds these regulations:
| 7am - 10pm | no more than six minutes of animal noise in any hour |
| 10pm - 7am | no more than three minutes of animal noise in any half hour |
Contact Council on information on how to control barking dogs.
CATS
What regulations do cat owners need to know?
You may keep a maximum of two cats on your property as long as they are contained.
If you require any further information on keeping of animals including live stock and poultry please contact Council Regulatory Services Section on (07) 5424 4000.
Local laws for Somerset as well as other Queensland councils can be found at the Local Government Directory site.
