DOG OWNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Dog owners are expected to ensure that their pets are not a nuisance or dangerous to the community.  Dog owners have definite legal responsibilities, which are intended for the convenience of all residents.

1. Register your dog once it reaches the age of three months as required by law.
2. Attach the registration disk and dog’s identification tag to the collar
3. Don’t let your dog wander without proper control.  Ensure your property is adequately secured.
4. Keep the dog generally quiet.
5. Clean up after your pet in public places.

For further explanation on dog owner responsibilities, please click on the following:

Barking
Behavioural Problems
Dangerous Dogs
Dog Attacks
Dog Registration
Dog Tags
Exercising Your Dog
Found Dogs
Lost Dogs
Pound
Veterinary Clinics
Wandering Dogs

Barking

According to Section 38 of the Dog Act, a dog must not cause a nuisance by barking.

Excessive barking is one of the most common complaints reported to the Town. Barking is monotonous and repetitive and is a sound that few people can tolerate for any length of time.  Some dog owners have difficulty in believing that their dogs bark excessively because dogs usually bark when owners are out and are not barking when owners arrive home.

If you experience a barking problem please download our dog barking diary and information sheet

The Council may take action against a dog owner if at least three people from at least two different properties are affected by the noise and are willing to declare that in writing (and in a court of Petty Sessions if need be).

Behavioural Problems

 If you are experiencing ongoing behavioural problems with your dog, including excessive barking, an animal behaviour expert may be your answer.  The Perth Animal Behaviour Centre can be contacted on telephone (08) 9258 3898.

Dangerous Dogs

Thousands of dog attacks are reported in Perth and country areas every year. Some result in horrific injuries and trauma.  If your dog displays behavioural problems it is important that you address them quickly and with appropriate training.  The Perth Animal Behaviour Centre can be contacted on telephone (08) 9258 3898.

The State Government has amended the Dog Act to allow Councils to declare certain dogs "dangerous" for offences such as attacking or repeatedly rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals.

Once a dog is declared dangerous it will automatically have to be muzzled at all times in public places. Council may also impose further restrictions, such as requiring that the dog be kept on a leash when in dog exercise areas or that it be excluded from specified areas.  Dog exercise areas are listed in the Dogs Local Law.

An owner who fails to comply with a declaration order on their dog may be fined up to $4,000.

 All of us are entitled to take a stroll in our community without the concern of being attacked or hindered by dogs that are not controlled.

Even the most behaved dogs can be disconcerting to people when roaming unattended. You may think your dog is totally harmless and unlikely to attack a person, however roaming dogs are often guilty of approaching and attacking other dogs.  People who have taken responsibility by ensuring their dogs are restricted are often targets of these attacks.

What Constitutes a Dog Attack?

A dog attack is a very serious offence.  In the event that your dog does attack a person or other animal you will be held responsible, even if you were not there at the time.

A dog attack includes a dog aggressively rushing at or attempting to attack a person or animal, as well as tearing clothing, biting, or causing physical injury.

There are very substantial penalties of up to $10,000 for a dog attack and $10,000 and/or 12 months jail for inciting a dog attack.  The dog’s owner or the person who has control of the dog at the time is also liable for any injury or damage to property resulting from a dog attack.

Click here for access to the Dog Act 1976.

Dog Registration

If you own a dog aged more than 3 months, please be aware that you are legally required to register the animal with your local Council.  It is an offence not to register your dog and you could be issued with a significant, on-the-spot fine for failing to do so.

The “Dog Registration Year” commences on 1^st November each year and expires on 31st October regardless of when you take out your initial registration.  You have a choice of registering your dog for either a one year period or a three year period. A substantial reduction to the registration fee is applicable if you provide proof that your dog is sterilised.  Proof may take the form of a sterilisation certificate issued by a veterinary surgeon, the relevant tattoo in the dog’s ear or a statutory declaration. 

Please note that a dog registration issued in Western Australia is valid anywhere in the State until the expiry date has passed.  It is suggested that you contact the Council offices on (08) 9285 4300 if you have recently moved into the Town of Claremont and your dog is currently registered elsewhere in the State.  Upon sighting your current registration papers, we will create a registration record and issue you with a replacement registration tag at no cost. Alternatively, if your dog is currently registered with the Town of Claremont and you are permanently moving from the area, please provide us with the details of your new address and departure date.  This information will assist in keeping our dog registration records up to date.

Registration Fees

Pensioners receive a 50% discount on the above fees on production of a Pensioner Concession Card.

Dog Registration Renewal Notices 

Dog registration renewal notices are mailed out to the dog owner approximately two weeks before the expiry date each year, ie mid October, and are due for payment on 1^st November.  Legislation currently requires you to sign the registration form and we are therefore unable to accept payment electronically, at this time.

Dog Tags

Has your dog lost its registration tag?  A replacement tag will be provided at the Council offices upon payment of a $2.50 fee.

Exercising Your Dog

In public places, other than a designated dog exercise area, all dogs must be on a leash.  Dog exercise areas are listed in the Dogs Local Law.

Dogs exercised in designated areas must be under effective control of the person liable for control of the dog at all times and must not create a nuisance to other people.

A $200 infringement notice may be issued to owners of offending dogs.

Found Dogs - Ranger

To give the owner every opportunity to locate his or her pet, if you find a stray dog, please contact the Town’s Ranger on (08) 9285 4300 (all hours).  The Town’s Ranger will arrange to collect the dog at a mutually convenient time and will endeavour to reunite the dog with its owner.  If the dog is unregistered or has no identification tags, it will be conveyed to the Dog Refuge, to give the owner a chance to find it.

Lost Dogs

Lost and stray dogs are held at the Swanbourne Veterinary Centre located at 2 Devon Road, Swanbourne

Dogs are held for a minimum of three days and are released on payment of $100.00 impounding fee, plus $25 for each day the dog is impounded.  A current dog license must be produced when claiming the dog.

Lost and stray dogs are held at the Swanbourne Veterinary Centre, 2 Devon Road, Swanbourne. 

The Veterinary opening hours are as follows:

 Monday to Friday - 7.30am to 7.00pm

Saturday - 8.00am to 4.00pm

Sunday -  8.00am to 1.00pm

Public Holidays - 8.00am to 1.00pm

Swanbourne Veterinary Centre can be contacted on telephone (08) 9384 2644 during working hours and after work hours.

Wandering Dogs

A fine of $100.00 is applicable for wandering dogs.  Dogs found wandering the streets are impounded at Swanbourne Veterinary Centre.

Veterinary Clinics

If your animal is injured, visit the Yellow Pages website for veterinary clinics.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR TOWN’S RANGER

The Town’s Ranger can be contacted on:

Business Hours  (08) 9285 4300
After Hours  (08) 9285 4315
Email: ranger@claremont.wa.gov.au

The Town of Claremont provides an after hours service for residents who need to contact a Ranger on urgent matters after normal business hours.