Animals

• Dog Pound Services
• New Dangerous Dogs Laws Information
• Dogs in Public Places Review
• Pets in Public Places
• Animal Registration
• Responsible Pet Ownership
• What happens if my pet goes missing?
• Microchip your pet for a reduced fee of $25
• Domestic Animal Management Plan
• Domestic Animal Business Registration

Dog Pound Services

The City of Banyule use the facilities of the RSPCA for all impounded dogs. The RSPCA is located on the corner of Burwood Highway and Middleborough Road (3 Burwood Hwy) in East Burwood. The animal welfare shelter can be contacted on 9224 2222 seven days a week. 

The RSPCA's animal welfare shelter looks after many different kinds of animals that are found wandering through the streets of Banyule. These may include dogs, horses, cows, rabbits, chooks and other poultry.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DOG IS LOST?

If your dog is lost you can have their details recorded on a Lost and Found register with Council during business hours by calling 9490 4222. Alternatively call the RSPCA and register that your animal is lost.

If your dog is wearing its Council registration tag or is micro chipped, and is found by Council, we will make every effort to return it to your property if there is someone at home to ensure your pet does not get out again.

If no one is at home, we will leave a message for you letting you know that your pet has been taken to the pound. Any dog not wearing a registration tag or not being micro chipped will be taken to the pound straight away.

IS THERE A FEE CHARGED TO HAVE MY PET RELEASED?

Fees are payable for the release of any impounded domestic animal. As owner of the impounded animal you may also receive infringements for offences relating to the animal straying. For further information about animal infringements and fines go to Banyule City Council on 9490 4222

Proof of the registration of your animal must be supplied prior to its release or a registration fee must also be paid. Photographic identification must also be shown, such as your driver's license or passport.  Remember to bring along your dog's lead for safe collection of your animal. 

RELEASE FEES

$101.95 per animal (after 2^nd day of impound the dog will be vaccinated also)

HOW LONG WILL MY DOG BE KEPT AT THE RSPCA?

Legally we must keep dogs for 8 days in our pound to give you an opportunity to claim them. After the 8 days your dog may be re-homed.

OTHER COSTS THAT MAY BE INCURRED  

Registration fee (varies depending on your category)
Amount depends on category

Micro chipping fee- $35
Vaccination fee- $67

New Dangerous Dogs Laws Information

The Victorian Government has recently introduced a range of new laws to better protect the community from dangerous dogs. For further information please visit the Department of Primary Industries website or select one of the following links:

Menacing and Dangerous Dogs

Restricted Breed Dogs

State Government Levy

Dogs in Public Places Review

In 1997 Council made an Order under section 26 of the Domestic Animal Act 1994, which required all dogs to be on a leash when on a public road, car park, shopping areas or within certain designated parks. The Order also prohibited dogs from being within five metres of a children’s playground or public barbeque. In certain environmentally sensitive areas, dogs were not permitted at all, whether on a leash or not. 

Pets in Public Places

DOGS OFF LEAD

All dogs must be under effective control whilst off their owners property. To protect other people and your pet, dogs must be on lead on:

• all streets, roads and car parks
• or within 5 metres of a shared footway (bike and pedestrian path).

For health and safety reasons do not allow your dog or cat within 5 metres of children's playgrounds or public barbecues.  If you are using these areas and have brought your pet along, we suggest you restrain them nearby.

Exercise is an important part of being a dog owner and you are permitted to exercise your dog off lead in all parks except where restrictions have been imposed for environmental reasons such as near wetlands. Usually there are free running areas nearby. Dogs off lead in these free running areas must be under effective control of their owners. What this means is that the dog must be within clear and unobstructed view of its owner and it must return to its owner upon command.

Signs have been erected in those areas where special controls have been imposed. Reasons for restricting the activities of pets in these areas include:

• wetlands provide important breeding habitat for water birds and native animals
• river and billabong banks are fragile and can be trampled or eroded by dogs
• seasonal birds visit our wetlands and dogs or cats may startle these shy visitors
• ground-nesting birds such as Songlarks and Masked Lapwings are at risk from unrestricted pets
• wetlands are habitat for native animals such as tortoises, lizards, snakes and frogs
• as they move between trees or the ground possums and sugar gliders have been known to be killed by dogs
• dogs and cats are at risk of being bitten by snakes
• the smell of dogs and cat urine wards away native fauna such as kangaroos, wallabies and smaller marsupials.

CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR PET

It is an offence not to clean up after your dog if it defecates while on the street or in the park. To assist, Council has installed facilities in some parks within the municipality which allow you to dispose of your dog's droppings. As not all parks are equipped with such an item please take a bag with you when you leave home.

DOG OBEDIENCE

Several dog obedience clubs service Banyule residents. For a list of these clubs please click here.

NUISANCE ANIMALS

The Domestic Animals Act recognises the importance of dogs and cats as pets. In addition to registering your pet you have a responsibility to ensure that your pet/s is not a nuisance to your neighbours.

The Cat Protection Society is our expert agency for cat management issues. For information on how to prevent your cat from becoming a nuisance please contact them on 9434 7155.

Incessant barking from a dog can cause all sorts of problems for dog owners and their neighbours. Please contact our Customer Service staff to advise the correct procedure for lodging a barking dog complaint with Council.  

DOG ATTACKS

Dog owners are responsible for the control and confinement of their dogs.

Current laws provide for heavy penalties for owners of dogs that rush people. In instances where the dog has attacked, the owner may be fined and requested to pay compensation for damage caused.

In addition to this the dog may be either destroyed or declared as being dangerous. If the dog is declared dangerous there are special restrictions that will be applied.

GENERAL ANIMAL INFORMATION

The following sites contain information about responsible pet ownership, choosing and taking care of pets as well as the welfare of animals.

Responsible Pet Ownership Program
RSPCA
Lost Dogs Home
Lort Smith Animal Hospital

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY RANGER PHONE NUMBER 9490 4222

Animal Registration

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR NEW ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS

Please Note: Changes to the legislation relating to The Domestic Animals Act 1994

As of 1 May 2007, Council cannot register any new animal that has not been implanted with a microchip. Proof will be required, if no proof is shown registration will be refused. This includes animals transferring from another municipality.

The Domestic Animals Act requires that all cats and dogs over the age of three months be registered with Council. Registrations are an annual charge and must be renewed by 10 April each year.

As of 11 April 2013, a reduced registration fee will only be offered to a dog or cat that is both microchipped and desexed. Proof of desexing will be required.

 We will issue you with a lifetime tag on the first registration. If the tag is lost or damaged contact our Customer Service staff for a replacement or click here to complete a customer feedback form online.

WHAT DOES REGISTRATION PAY FOR?

The funds raised through registration fees pay for Council's animal control services. These include a twenty-four hour emergency service, provision of pound/shelters for lost, stray and unwanted animals, mediation programs and community education. Council also pays $2.50 per dog and $1.00 per cat from every registration to the State Government for its education programs.

It is important that your pet wears the tag provided, it is the link to you in the event that it becomes lost.

DO I HAVE TO REGISTER MY ANIMAL IF IT IS MICROCHIPPED?

Yes, while microchips are becoming a popular way of identifying animals and Council encourages this, it should be noted that the Domestic Animals Act does require that animals must be registered and Council registration tags must be worn at all times. Make sure that you notify the microchip registry if you change your contact details or address

CAN I PAY MY REGISTRATION OVER THE INTERNET?

Registration renewals can be paid by credit card over the Internet. Just click on the link below and follow the instructions. You will need your registration renewal form to be able to process your payment.

Animal Registration Renewal Online

Registration of a new animal requires that an affirmation be signed stating that all information provided regarding the animal and its owner is correct. Due to the requirement of a signature, new registrations cannot be paid over the Internet. You can download an Application form from the following link below. Print out the form and fill in the information. You can then either mail it to us or bring it in to one of our Service Centres when making payment. Fees are listed on the form.

REDUCED FEE CATEGORIES

You may be eligible for a reduced fee if your pet meets any one of the following requirements of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Please note only one reduction in fees is permitted.

Desexed dogs or cats.
Dogs or cats over 10 years old.
Dogs kept for working stock.
Dogs or cats kept for breeding by the proprietor of a domestic animal business conducted on registered premises.
Cats registered with the Feline Control Council, the Governing Council of Cat Fancy Australia and Victoria Incorporated, the Democratic Cat Council Incorporated or any successor in law of any one of those associations or a breed society approved by Council.
Dogs that have undergone obedience training which comply with the regulations.
Dogs registered with the Victorian Canine Association or any successor in law of that Association or any organisation approved by the Council.

PENSION CARD HOLDERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONCESSION ON ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS

Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
Department of Veterans' Affairs Repatriation Health Card specifying a War Widow TPI

These are the only pension cards accepted for half rate fees. A photocopy of the pension card must accompany any claims for concession on animal registrations. Please note that if you wish to apply for a pension concession on your rates you must complete an application for pension concession form (below).

CAN I CHANGE ANY OF MY REGISTRATION DETAILS OVER THE INTERNET?

To notify Council of a deceased animal or to change your residential or postal address for animal registrations please download and complete the relevant forms below . 

You can then either mail these forms to us or bring them in to one of our Service Centres.

Please Note:  Payment and documented proof of microchipping and desexing must be submitted with the application to register an animal form and all forms must be signed and dated.

Responsible Pet Ownership

DESEXING OF CATS AND DOGS

The benefits of having your animals desexed are that it prevents unwanted young being born and can help calm animals. Desexed animals are not as agressive and do not tend to wander as often.

Council provides assistance to pensioners and health care card holders by providing a voucher which entitles the owner to a desexing fee which is below costs. These vouchers are valid for one month from the date of issue.

You can have your pet desexed at:

• any veterinary surgeon
• RSPCA 9224 2222
• Lort Smith Hospital 9328 3021
• Lost Dogs Home 9329 2755
• Cat Protection Society 9434 7155

What happens if my pet goes missing?

Golden Rule:  Ensure your pet is always wearing its Council identification tag

If you lose your pet please advise Council and visit the pound. If your pet is wearing its Council identification tag, Council officers will contact you. If it is not wearing its identification tag we have to wait until you contact us. While officers make every effort to match descriptions of animals they are not always successful, while you call your dog a Kelpie Cross, the Ranger could call it a Labrador Cross, so it is always wise to check.

If your animal is microchipped please make sure that all contact details are up to date. If you have moved recently you will need to update your address. This can be updated by Central Animal Records.

To change your animal microchipping contact details please contact Central Animal Records.

Or alternatly you can contact them between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday to update your details via the phone on 03 9706 3187.

If you find a dog, you must hand it over to Council as soon as possible. If the dog is not wearing identification the Rangers can scan the dog for a microchip. The pound is often the first place owners check for their lost dogs.

If you find a pet in another municipality it is preferred that you hand the animal over to an authorised officer in the municipality it is found. This gives the animal a better chance to be reunited with its owners.

Cats collected by Council are housed at the Cat Protection Society located at 200 Elder Street, Greensborough. Their opening hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Their contact phone number is 9434 7155 (Monday to Friday only).

RESTRICTED DOG BREEDS

The State Government has made amendments to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 in relation to the keeping of ‘Restricted Dog Breeds’.

A ‘Restricted Dog Breed’ means a dog of a breed whose importation into Australia is prohibited under Customs regulations.

These breeds currently are:

• Dogo Argentino
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Fila Brasileiro
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Perro De Presa Canario

Restricted Breed Dogs cannot be registered with any municipality in the state of Victoria. 

For further information contact Municipal Laws or the Bureau of Animal Welfare.

PERMITS FOR KEEPING ANIMALS

In Banyule you are permitted to keep a range of pets (animals). However, if you wish to keep more than the number listed below you will require a permit from Council. Permits are also required for goats, horses and other animals. Permit applications can be downloaded from the link below.

Microchip your pet for a reduced fee of $25

Give your pet a return ticket home - microchip now!

Microchipping is the most effective way of ensuring you and your pet are reunited if they go missing.

The National Pet Register, Australia's largest not-for-profit pet identification and recovery service which is owned by the Lost Dogs' Home, gives Banyule residents the opportunity to microchip their pets for the discounted rate of $25.

Each year, the National Pet Register re-unites over 57,000 lost pets with their owners via microchip identification.

As it is mandatory for all new cats and dogs over the age of three months to be microchipped and registered with Council, this is a great opportunity to bring your pet down to the Ivanhoe Town Hall, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, between 10am and noon on these dates in 2013.

• 10 February 2013
• 14 April 2013
• 13 October 2013
• 8 December 2013

Please note: You must make an appointment by contacting National Pet Register online at www.petregister.com.au/events or calling 1300 734 738. Dogs must be on a leash and cats in carry cages when you bring them for registration.

Domestic Animal Management Plan

Domestic Animal Business Registration

A Domestic Animal Business Permit is required from Council if you wish to conduct a business such as:

• Pet shop
• Boarding establishment for cats or dogs
• Breeding and rearing establishment for cats or dogs
• Dog training establishment
• Animal shelter

These businesses must comply with the requirements of the relevant Codes of Practice made by the State Government that set out guidelines on how these businesses must operate. Visit the Department of Primary Industries' website for further information.

WHY APPLY?

The Domestic Animal Business Permit must be applied for annually and is renewable on 10 April each year.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, it is a requirement that all domestic animal businesses are registered with Council. In general, the Domestic Animal Business Permit gives approval to allow the enterprise to conduct business to sell, buy, rear, train or board; specific types of animals, up to specified numbers of animals, in specified physical arrangements/cages, and for specified lengths of time, with such other conditions as may be considered reasonable in the circumstances.

Failure to maintain full compliance with the conditions in the Permit could lead to withdrawal or cancellation of the existing Domestic Animal Business Permit or to non-issuance of a future Permit. To apply for an Animal Business Registration please call council's Animal Management Team on 9490 4222.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost of registration is $160 (fee subject to change annually).