A rising number of dangerous dog owners can expect a random visit from Sunshine Coast Council, via a program aimed to keep the community safe.
The 12-month program aims to monitor the growing number of dangerous dogs registered in the region.
The inspection program relates to regulated (dangerous) dogs under state legislation and highlights responsible ownership.
Under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, there are three regulated dog categories – declared dangerous, declared menacing and restricted.
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Council records showed the number of dog attacks, as well as the number of declared dangerous dogs have been on the rise during recent years.
From September 21, Council had 130 dangerous dogs listed on its regulated dog register, which will require inspection under the initiative.
There were 102 regulated dogs requiring an inspection in the 2020/2021 period and 96 regulated dogs requiring review in the 2019/2020 inspection period.
READ: Hundreds of attacks: ‘make sure your dog is under control’.
A Council spokesperson said the growth in the number of dangerous dogs “could be attributed to a number of factors, including the population growth of our region”.
“Sunshine Coast Council takes the management of regulated dogs very seriously and that’s why, in addition to responding to complaints, we proactively monitor compliance every year”, the spokesperson said.
From November 14, officers will audit premises where dangerous dogs are kept, unannounced on weekdays, to make sure owners are meeting the requirements of keeping a regulated dog.
These requirements relate to containment, tags, signage, registration, collars and microchips.
This further includes improving advice and recommendations around creating child proof fences and repairing old containments where there are signs of wear and tear.
If an animal owner has failed to comply with the mandatory conditions for keeping a dangerous dog, the council may, in accordance with the Act and Compliance and Enforcement Policy 2021:
- Issue an on-the-spot fine under the Act ($1006).
- Issue a compliance notice outlining the mandatory conditions which require attention.
- Where an officer deems the dog may be a risk to the community, they may seize a regulated dog (section 125 of the Act).
- Where an officer reasonably believes the dog is dangerous and the person cannot control it, they may seize the regulated dog and issue a destruction notice (section 127 of the Act).
- Undertake further legal action such as prosecution through the Magistrates Court. The maximum penalty for failure to comply with conditions for keeping a regulated dog is 75 penalty units ($10,781).
The regulated dog registration fees for 2022/2023 are $518 for a regulated dangerous dog and an un-desexed regulated menacing dog and $396 for a desexed regulated menacing dog.
The registration fees have increased $13 from 2021/2022.
The maximum penalty for not registering a regulated dog is $2870, which can be imposed by a Magistrate.
Service Excellence Portfolio and division 5 councillor Winston Johnston said the compliance audits ensured council was doing what it could to keep the community safe from potential risks.
“There are risks associated with regulated dogs, but we want the community to have peace in knowing we’re working to ensure these dogs are being properly contained and looked after,” Cr Johnston said.
“Owning any dog comes with serious responsibilities and that is increased for owners of regulated dogs.”
The cost to undertake the dangerous dog monitoring program is estimated to be approximately $51,870 and is funded by the animal registration fees collected from the regulated dog owners.
For more information on the conditions for keeping a regulated dog, visit council’s website.
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