Responsible Pet Ownership
How can I care for my pet?
Where can I walk my dog without a leash?
What’s the ‘We are Family’ Program?
Things you should know about Dangerous Dogs
The current laws for owners of Restricted Breed Dogs
Caring for your pets
Owning a pet can be a lot of fun, but it involves certain responsibilities:
- all dogs and cats must be registered
- de-sex your pet to prevent unwanted breeding
- provide a balanced diet
- make sure clean, cool water is available at all times in a spill-proof container
- provide a comfortable, dry sleeping area away from the sun
- confine your dog to your property at all times
- keep cats indoors at night, either in the house, shed or garage
- place pets in suitable accommodation when you are on holidays
- keep your pet under control and on a lead in public places like parks
- regularly exercise your dog - there are 21 off leash reserves within Brimbank where dog owners can get exercise and enjoy outdoor activities with their pets and
- take your pet for regular vet check-ups, vaccinate and regularly worm them (including heartworm for dogs, fleas and ticks)
For more information on caring for your pets - visit the Department of Primary Industries websites, Dog Care and Cat Care.
Where can I walk my dog off leash?
The Domestic Animal Act 1994 Section 26 provides for local councils to make an Order to impose conditions on the presence of dogs and cats in public places. In 2005 Brimbank Council resolved to make a new Order requiring dogs to be restrained by a leash in all public open space areas within the municipality except for some designated off leash areas. The Order for Dogs in Public Places became effective on 1 August 2005.
The Off Leash Map displays the areas that have been designated off leash zones, where dog owners can get exercise and enjoy outdoor activities with their pets.
Notwithstanding the above, the following additional restrictions are to apply where dogs must be on a leash:
- conservation areas
- within 30 metres of children's play areas
- in the vicinity of barbecue and outdoor eating areas
- in the vicinity of informal sports or social events
- during formal sports events (nominating specific times of events)
- within 5 metres of a walking or bike path
- where there may be heavy pedestrian traffic to or from a school.
It is an offence for owners to not clean up after their dogs, as this is considered to be littering.
‘We Are Family’ Program
We are Family is a Victorian Government initiative providing a guide to nurturing the child-pet relationship. It is aimed at educating expectant and new parents on the many advantages of allowing their child to experience the joys of having a pet in the family.
It also informs you of the potential risks, knowledge, skills and strategies to ensure that the experience is not only a physically and emotionally enriching one, but a safe one as well.
There is information about:
- how to prepare pets during pregnancy
- how to do safe introductions
- potential health risks from pets
- tips to understanding your pets behaviour and
- a pet planner check list to make sure you and your pets will be ready for the arrival of your new baby.
Dangerous Dogs
A dog that is kept for the purpose of guarding non residential premises is automatically a dangerous dog under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. This has effect throughout Victoria, and it cannot be revoked - the dog is a dangerous dog for life, even if it ceases to be used for the purpose of guarding non-residential premises. This document provides an overview of the requirements relating to a dog that has been declared dangerous because it is used to guard non-residential premises, as prescribed in the Domestic Animals Regulations 2005.
The Domestic Animals Act 1994 also empowers Municipalities to declare a dog to be ‘dangerous’ if the dog has caused serious injury to a person or animal, if the dog is a menacing dog and its owner has received at least 2 infringement notices for failing to comply with restraint requirements, if the dog has been declared dangerous under corresponding legislation in another State/Territory, or for any other reason prescribed. Serious injury to a person is an injury in the nature of broken bones, lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery or the total or partial loss of sensation or function in a part of the body.
Owners of dangerous dogs have imposed on them a series of obligations to make sure that innocent members of the public are not attacked by such a dog. There are penalties for non-compliance.
For detailed information on dangerous dogs and the specifications on how they should be confined - visit the Department of Primary Industries website on Dangerous Dogs.
Restricted Breed Dogs
If you own a dog that fits the identification "Standard" (which is currently being developed) for an American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier), Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario), Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, or Fila Brasileiro, you will need to comply with Victorian legislation relating to the control of Restricted Breed Dogs.
For detailed information on restricted breed dogs and the specifications on how they should be confined - visit the Department of Primary Industries website on Restricted Breed Dogs.
Information on the identification "Standard" for Restricted Breed Dogs can be obtained by calling the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Further Information
For more information on any of the above items call 9249 4000 or email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au