Council's local laws and policies require that all pets are kept on their own property. Owners are to ensure they have secure fencing or enclosures to prevent their pet from wandering onto the street or neighbouring properties.
The Queensland Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires all cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered.
Failure to do the following may result in an infringement notice:
- Preventing your pet from wandering in a public place or on neighbouring property
- Not using a leash when exercising/taking your pet (includes cats, rats, birds, etc.) in a public place
- Not registering and microchipping your cat or dog
Impounded cats, dogs and other pets will be held at Council's Shelter Facilities for a minimum of three working days for unregistered animals, and five working days for registered dogs. If not collected by their owners during this time, animals will be available for adoption to new homes. Fees apply for the release of impounded animals. Charges are significantly higher if the dog is unregistered.
Sadly, a large number of animals that come to our Shelter do not get claimed by their owner. If you lose your cat or dog, contact Council as soon as possible and provide a full description of your pet.
Animals may be collected by appointment from our Shelter between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays). Contact your local Customer Service Centre on 1300 268 624 to arrange the release of an animal.
After hours calls are covered 24/7 by our Animal Management Team On-call officer. Call outs covered are dog attacks, dogs contained for collection or wandering aggressive dogs. On call officers will not attend wandering animals, animals that are not contained, cat trap collections or general enquires. These will be actioned during business days and hours.
Please Call 1300 COUNCIL to report after hours.
Council conducts an approved inspection program for animal management in all Western Downs towns.
The program is conducted under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and aims to monitor compliance by checking:
- Dog registrations; and
- Compliance with permit conditions related to the keeping of regulated dogs.
All residential, multiple occupancy, rural residential and small town properties across the region will be systematically checked for compliance.
The Queensland Government has laws that promote the responsible breeding of dogs.
The law requires all persons giving away, supplying, selling, or advertising dogs or puppies to have a unique identifying number (Supply Number) that identifies the registered breeder of that dog.
The laws apply only to dogs born on or after 26 May 2017. Dogs born before this date are not impacted.
Any person with a female dog with a litter is a breeder. The laws apply to people who are commercial breeders, occasional breeders, and to people who are not making money from the dogs or puppies supplied. The laws apply to occasional, accidental or planned litters.
Council requires all professional breeders to have a Development Approval for Animal Keeping (i.e.to operate a Kennel or Cattery). Contact Council's Planning and Development Section on 1300 268 624 for more information.
Information on Dog Breeding in Queensland
Frequently Asked Questions about the Queensland Dog Breeder Register(PDF, 306KB)
Buying or getting a dog in Queensland(PDF, 248KB)
Fact Sheet - Breeding Dogs in Queensland(PDF, 216KB)
Fact Sheet - Breeding working dogs in Queensland(PDF, 292KB)
What is an approved inspection program?
An approved inspection program is a selective or systematic program that allows Council to check on dog registrations and on regulated dog permit conditions. An Approved Inspection Program, as detailed under Section 111 (1)(h) of the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008, allows an Authorised Person to enter a place at any reasonable time of the day or night.
How often do these programs run?
The program usually runs twice per annum.
These programs have been run since the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 came into effect in 2008.
Who does this affect?
The program affects all dog owners across the Western Downs, except for persons that have working dogs.
All residential, multiple occupancy, rural residential and small-town properties across the region will be systematically checked for compliance.
Why have I never heard about this before ?
Council generally advertises the program in local publications 14 - 28 days before the program commences.
The advertising and promotion of the program will be through various mediums, including posters, social media and various other publications, thereby creating increased community awareness.
Why does Council run these programs?
Council runs these programs to ensure equity in the community by ensuring that all dog owners meet their legal obligations in having their dogs registered and to ensure that all regulated dogs are kept in accordance with their permit conditions.
How do I know if they are Council Officers or not ?
All Council Ranger Services Officers engaged in the program will have photographic identification and will also be driving a marked Council vehicle.
What service does this provide to the community ?
The Program enables dogs that are found wandering to be reunited with their owners, as well as assisting in investigations when dogs are involved in incidents, such as attacking a person or other animal.
Is it true that Council can enter private property without the landowner's consent?
Yes, the Act allows officers to access private property. However, Council officers will always exercise discretion prior to entering a property.
When persons are at home, Council Officers will always introduce themselves, state the reasons for their visit, and seek permission from the occupier of the place. Further, all Authorised Officers have photographic identification which they will produce.
What do I need to do?
You are encouraged to register your dogs with Council as soon as possible, and prior to Council Ranger Services Officers visiting your property.
Does my dog have to wear its registration tag?
Whilst your dog does not have to wear its registration tag whilst on your property, this is encouraged as the onus of proof of registration lies with the dog owner.
The wearing of a registration tag allows for easy identification of wandering dogs, thereby allowing for identification of the owner and the reuniting of your dog.