Domestic animal management plan 2013–2016 Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016

104 Pages·011.94 MB·English

Domestic animal
management plan
2013–2016
Domestic Animal
Management
Plan 2013–2016
Page 163 of 266
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Contents
Domestic Animal Management Plan ...................................................................................3
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
2. Training of authorised officers .........................................................................................7
3. Registration and identification of domestic animals .............................................9
4. Nuisance ...................................................................................................................................13
5. Dog attacks .............................................................................................................................17
6. Dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs .....................................................19
7. Overpopulation and high euthanasia rates .................................................................20
8. Domestic animal business ..................................................................................................23
9. Other matters ..........................................................................................................................25
10. Annual review of the plan and annual reporting .....................................................27
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Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016 2
Domestic Animal Management Plan
Under Section 68A of the Domestic Animals Act 3) Every council must:
1994, every council must prepare a Domestic Animal (a) Review its domestic animal management plan
Management Plan as follows: annually and, if appropriate, amend the plan;
(b) Provide the secretary with a copy of the plan
1. Every council must, in consultation with the and any amendments to the plan; and
secretary, prepare at four- year intervals a (c) Publish an evaluation of its implementation of
Domestic Animal Management Plan. the plan in its annual report.
2. A Domestic Animal Management Plan prepared
by a council must:
(a) Set out a method for evaluating whether the
animal control services provided by the council
in its municipal district are adequate to give
effect to the requirements of this Act and the
regulations;
(b) Outline programs for the training of authorised
officers to ensure that they can properly
administer and enforce the requirements of
this Act in the council’s municipal district;
(c) Outline programs, services and strategies
which the council intends to pursue in its
municipal district;
(i) To promote and encourage the
responsible ownership of dogs and cats;
(ii) To ensure that people comply with this
Act, the regulations and any related
legislation;
(iii) To minimise the risk of attacks by dogs
on people and animals;
(iv) To address any over-population and high
euthanasia rates for dogs and cats;
(v) To encourage the registration and
identification of dogs and cats;
(vi) To minimise the potential for dogs and
cats to create a nuisance; and
(vii) To effectively identify all dangerous dogs,
menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs
in that district and to ensure that those
dogs are kept in compliance with this Act
and the regulations.
(d) Provide for the review of existing orders made
under this Act and local laws that relate to
the council’s municipal district with a view to
determining whether further orders or local
laws dealing with the management of dogs
and cats in the municipal district are desirable;
(e) Provide for the review of any other matters
related to the management of dogs and cats
in the council’s municipal district that it thinks
necessary; and
(f) Provide for the periodic evaluation of any
program, service, strategy or review outlined
under the plan.
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1. Introduction
The aim of this Domestic Animal Management About the city of Wodonga
Plan (the plan) is to support the council’s mission Spanning 433 square kilometres, the city is
through effective management of domestic animals located in Victoria’s north east, about 300km from
(dogs and cats) within the city of Wodonga. Melbourne. The city, along with its near neighbour,
Albury in NSW, is located in a strategic location on
The civic services team in delivering the plan aims to the main Melbourne-Sydney freeway and railway.
provide a community-focused service which strikes There are more than 80km of bike and walking
a balance between community expectations and paths with picturesque parks and gardens dotted
compliance obligations under the Domestic Animals throughout the community providing the perfect
Act 1994 (the Act). The approach will use a mix of opportunity for pet activities.
educational and regulatory processes to promote
the notion of responsible pet ownership to gain The city includes the suburbs and rural localities of
compliance under the Act. Bandiana, Baranduda, Barnawartha North, Bonegilla,
Castle Creek, Ebden, Gateway Island, Huon Creek,
Development of the plan Killara, Leneva, Staghorn Flat (part), West Wodonga
This plan has been developed by the civic services and Wodonga.
team based on the outcomes and learnings from the
previous plan, and a review of the existing data in Population and demographics
areas such as complaints, dog attacks, registrations A snapshot of Wodonga:
and impoundments. Initial community feedback
• The estimated residential population at June, 2013
and consultations with key stakeholders including
was 37,804 people;
veterinarians, animal businesses, volunteer groups,
• Wodonga is the largest and fastest growing centre
dog trainers and other service providers have also
in North East Victoria and one of the fastest
informed the plan. Issues identified by these initial
growing regional Victorian cities;
consultations include:
• The average change of population between 2013
• Adherence to legislation (the Act);
and 2031 will be 16,924, representing an annual
• Increased compliance to the Act;
percentage change of 2.08 per cent per annum
• Identification of potential off-leash areas;
(total 44.77 per cent);
• Reduction of the number of stray and wandering
• The average household size in 2012 was 2.52;
animals;
• The average household size in 2031 will be 2.54;
• Introduction of ‘on-leash’ and other local laws
and
relating to dogs and cats towards responsible pet
• In 2031, people aged zero to four, 15 to 19 and
ownership;
20 to 24 will be the most populous forecast age
• Increased resourcing to help drive the council’s
groups (Av. 4057).
animal management and education programs; and
• Increased community and domestic animal
It is expected that the number of pets in the city will
business awareness of animal welfare matters.
grow in proportion to the population growth. By 2031
it is estimated there will be at least 8903 registered
dogs in the city.
The council’s mission states:
“We will strengthen our community in all that we do.”
The council’s vision for domestic animal management is:
“A community where pets are embraced as an integral part of a family,
and where the safety of humans and the welfare of all animals underpins
the delivery of council’s animal management programs.”
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Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016 4
Domestic animal statistics and data
The following information is based on the 2012-2013 data.
Number of registered dogs 6478
Number of dangerous dogs (guard dogs) 2
Number of restricted breed dogs 2
Number of menacing dogs 4
Average number of dogs impounded annually 414
Average number of dogs reunited with owners 202
The number of dogs entering the pound over the last four years has decreased but complaints have risen.
Dog attacks have remained low and stable over the same period.
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Number of registered cats 1750
Average number of cats impounded annually 158
Average number of cats reunited with owners 22
Number of traps issued 160
Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle can be difficult so it is
important that you take into account a variety of factors. To
help you make a responsible decision on the best pet for you,
talk to your local veterinary or animal business proprietor. For
further information visit
petnet.com.au/selectapet/choose-a-pet
Number of authorised officers
Animal management team 3
Pound attendants/assistants 1
Additional available legislative officers fully trained 2
in animal management
Domestic animal businesses
Registered domestic animal businesses 3
Number of boarding establishments 1
Number of pet shops 3
Number of pounds/shelters 1
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Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016 6
2. Training of authorised officers
68(A)(2)(b) Outline programs for the training of Current civic services officers involved in animal
authorised officers to ensure that they can properly control are trained to the required standards to
administer and enforce the requirements of this Act be able to perform all requirements under the
in the council’s municipal district. legislation. Officer competency is developed through
a mix of practical training and through structured
Context courses and industry training. Furthermore, all civic
services officers are ‘authorised officers’ to enable
The civic services team Wodonga Council is
them to carry out the functions required of the
responsible for animal management operations
relevant legislation or local laws.
under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, other
applicable state laws and the council’s local laws.
An annual skills audit will be undertaken to identify
any gaps in the skills available within the civic
services team. This skills audit will also drive the
development of performance evaluation system for
each team member.
Future plans
Objective 2.1: Develop and maintain competency of animal management officers.
Activity When Evaluation
Continually identify relevant Current and ongoing Training needs identified and
training needs through included in the training plan. All
consultation with management planned training undertaken and
and the team. officer competency increased.
Include in the annual training plan.
Officer competency is developed through a mix of practical
training and through structured courses and industry training.
Objective 2.2: Annual review of internal processes with civic services animal management
team, to ensure governance across investigation, compliance and enforcement processes.
Activity When Evaluation
Review all investigation, By July annually Annually – processes reviewed
compliance and enforcement and officer guidelines developed,
processes to ensure that the approved training undertaken and
processes are consistent with officers deemed competent.
current practices, legislation and Officers using a range of
community expectations. enforcement techniques including
Undertake training relevant to any compliance and education
changes across the sector. dependant on council and
community expectations.
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Current and planned training
Authorised officer training – Current Planned
basic
Microchip implantation training:
Officer one Proposed
Officer two Proposed
Officer three Proposed
Industry training:
Animal handling Completed x 2 staff Consider Certificate IV in Local
Breed identification Government (Regulatory Services)
Animal assessment
Statement taking and brief
preparation
Evidence presentation and
prosecution skills
Computer skills
Loading and unloading animals Refresher courses as required
Emergency first aid for domestic
animals
Court etiquette training
Court warrants, issue and filing
Conflict resolution
Aggressive dog handling
Occupational Health and Safety (OH and S) training
Animal control equipment use and Completed x 2 staff Refresher courses as required
care
Animal handling induction
Animal handling practical skills
and practice
Manual handling
Emergency evacuation procedures
Dealing with aggressive
customers
Conflict resolution
Client interaction
Council policies and procedures
under OH and S legislation
Bureau of Animal Welfare – training and information seminars, for example dangerous,
restricted breed, and menacing dogs
All officers: Officers to attend on a rotational As offered
basis
Induction program for new staff
All officers: As required As required
Municipal Association of Victoria and local government professionals – training and
information days
All officers: Officers to attend on a rotational As offered
basis
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Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016 8
3. Registration and identification
Current situation: • Random door knocking audit for unregistered
The most effective way to improve animal animals;
management is to maximise the number of animals • Mars Petcare Paws in the Park event which also
that are registered and identifiable. incorporates registration and renewals, discounted
The council’s current identification and registration microchipping, responsible pet ownership
activities include: information sessions and competitions;
• Annual registration renewal follow up including: • Maintain and update the animal registration
• Reminder notices sent after May 10; database;
• Phone audit; and • Offering reduced fee for registration of puppies
• Door knock. (between three and six months). Reverts to full
• All animals released from the pound must be micro fee if evidence of desexing not provided at next
chipped and registered; registration cycle.
• The council’s website provides photographs of
impounded wandering pets to help owners locate
lost animals quicker; 68(A)(c)(v) Outline programs, services and strategies
• Encouraging pet identification at every to encourage the registration and identification of
opportunity; dogs and cats – also addresses 68A(2)(a), (c)(i), (c)(ii),
(d), (f)
Current data:
The animal registration numbers in the city of Wodonga have varied in proportion to population growth over
the last 10 years. Cat registration is currently trending down while dog registrations are stable.
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Current education/promotion ensure data is current and correct (for example
notification of deceased animal, change of
activities
address, change of owner);
• Information on the council’s website relating to
• Ensure all seized and impounded animals are
registration and identification of pets;
identified, registered and microchipped prior to
• Registration and identification brochures supplied
release to their owner; and
to all local vets, community centres, libraries and
• Visiting premises with puppies and kittens for sale
dog training facilities;
to ensure they are microchipped as required under
• Supporting Department of Environment and
the Act.
Primary Industries’ “Who’s For Cats” campaign;
• Use media releases, paid advertising and the
council’s newsletter (Citylife) to advise residents
Summary
of registration and responsible pet ownership
requirements; A key focus during the cycle of this plan is to increase
• Registration and animal-related information in all the number of cats and dogs that are registered,
new resident packs; microchipped and desexed.
• Promote and provide registration and information
at annual Paws in the Park event; and
• Officers available to present to school and Future plans
community groups on responsible pet ownership. Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle can be
difficult so it is important that you take into account
Current compliance activities a variety of factors. To help you make a responsible
• Investigation of unregistered animals; decision on the best pet for you, talk to your local
• Patrols of municipality; veterinary or animal business proprietor. For further
• Issue registration renewal notice annually; information visit petnet.com.au/selectapet/choose-
• Follow up on non-renewal of registration: a-pet
• Phone call; or
• Visit to property.
• Random unregistered animal audits;
• Follow up on registration for animals notified as
sold by domestic animal businesses;
• Regularly update/audit registration database to
Objective 3.1: Improve the ongoing accuracy of the council’s registration database by cross
referencing with microchip registry data.
Activity When Evaluation
Undertake a sample review of Annually Demonstrate the council’s pet
newly microchipped dogs and registration database can be
cats in the municipality by accurately cross-referenced with
contacting registration microchip microchip registries.
registries. Check all animals listed Demonstrate increase in numbers
on the council’s pet registration of pets registered with the council
database, and follow up those that following microchip registry cross
are not. referencing exercise.
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Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013–2016 10