Dog Control

Why do I need to register my dog?
It is important for both the general community and their dogs that Council has a record of dogs and their owners.

Registration allows Bundaberg Regional Council to keep better control of the city's dog population and assists Council to provide for better facilities and conditions for responsible dog owners.

The benefits of registration are:

• Positive identification of your dog;
• Reuniting lost or injured dogs with their owners;
• Provision of data about Bundaberg's dog population;
• Investigation and resolution of dog problems;
• Animal Control Officer patrols to reduce the number of stray dogs roaming in the streets and other public places;
• Encouraging desexing of dogs through discounted registration fees; and
• Reduced registration fees are available for pensioners.

Dog registration is due from the 1st July every year. Reminder notices will be sent in the mail to inform residents when registration renewals are due. New (first time) dog registrations can be made at any time during the year at a pro-rata rate.

Council Local Laws require the registration of all dogs over the age of two (2) months with a maximum of two (2) dogs to be kept at any one premises. It should be noted that a person shall not on any premises engage in the breeding of any dog or dogs for sale without express permission from the Council.

If you live in a unit or flat, you will need to obtain a letter of permission from the owner of the premises and submit this with a written request to Council for special permission to keep a dog in the unit. However, only two dogs will be permitted on the entire premises, regardless of the number of units or flats on the property.

Registration Fees for the 1st July, 2007 to 30th June, 2008 are:

1st Dog	$32.00
1st Dog (desexed)	$16.00
1st Dog (pension concession)	$16.00
1st Dog (desexed & pensioner)	$ 8.00

2nd Dog	$47.00
2nd Dog (desexed)	$23.50
2nd Dog (pension concession)	$23.50
2nd Dog (desexed & pensioner)	$11.75

Upon production of a Veterinary Certificate, a 50% reduction of registration fees will apply for desexed dogs. Pensioners also receive a 50% reduction in registration fees.

Impounding & Release
Dog Pound Release Fees:

Registered dog
1st Release	$ 57.00
2nd Release (in 12 months)	$115.00

Unregistered dog
1st Release	$ 78.00
2nd Release (in 12 months)	$176.00 (plus registration)

Unregistered dogs are also required to be registered prior to release.

A dog that is not claimed by its owner may be destroyed after being held for two clear days.

Lost & Found Dogs
Bundaberg Regional Council maintains a register of lost and found dogs. If your dog is missing, please call the Health and Environmental Services Department on 4153 9280 to notify us that your dog is lost. This way, if a dog is found either privately or by Council Officers, you can be notified of its whereabouts.

If you find a stray dog on your property, please call the Council on 4153 9280 and provide the dog's description, registration tag number, location at which and the time it was found. If the dog has been registered as lost, Council will initiate action to return the dog to its owner as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you are entitled to privately impound the dog and call the Health and Environmental Services Department to arrange for the Animal Control Officer to collect the dog and remove it to the pound.

Restricted Dogs
A "restricted dog" is a dog:

1. of a breed as follows:
   1. Dogo Argentino;
   2. Fila Brasileiro;
   3. Japanese Tosa; or
2. of the type commonly known as "American Pit Bull Terrier" or "Pit Bull Terrier; or
3. that is a crossbreed, or the offspring of, a dog of a breed or type mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), whether or not the dog appears to be a dog of that type or breed.

The owner of a restricted dog must hold a permit to keep the dog. Applications for permits can be made at the Council at a cost of $50.00. If approved, the annual permit fee is $100.00. Permits can only be issued on land which has a detached house and someone resides in the house.

Compulsory Desexing
The owners of restricted dogs must have their dogs desexed within three (3) months of being issued with a permit or after the dog turns six (6) months of age.

Restricted dogs must be muzzled in a public place.

Restricted dogs must be kept in an enclosure which is child proof and stops the dog from leaving the enclosure.

A sign must be placed at or near each entrance to the place for which a permit has been given notifying the public that a restricted dog is kept at the premises.

Resposible Dog Ownership
Responsible Dog Ownership includes:

• Ensuring your dog is registered.
• Choosing a breed of dog that is suitable to your home and lifestyle.
• Socialising your dog as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals and teaching it correct behaviour.
• Exercise your dog regularly. Always walk your dogs on a leash and under the control of a responsible person while in public places.
• If your dog is left in the back of an open utility vehicle in a public place, it should be tethered in such as way as to prevent it from attacking or worrying any person passing by.
• Controlling barking dogs.
• Ensuring that your dog cannot leave your property and prevent it from roaming.
• Desexing your dog.
• Keeping your dog healthy by ensuring that its vaccinations are up to date, and that it receives a healthy and balanced diet.

Help to Avoid Dog Bites by:

• Always supervising children around your dog.
• Never leave babies or young children alone with a dog.
• Constantly monitor your dog for danger signs when children are around.
• Keep children away from your dog when it is sleeping, feeding or recovering from illness or injury.

Teach children and others to:

• Have respect for all dogs at all times.
• Never put their face against a dog's face.
• Never approach a strange dog without permission from its owner.
• Stand still if a strange dog approaches them and do not squeal or jump.
• Avoid eye contact with a strange dog.

Barking Dogs

Dogs Bark Because They Are:

• Seeking attention
• Bored
• Lonely
• Anxious
• Protecting their territory

Scolding your dog for barking will still answer its need for attention. This will teach the dog that the more it barks, the more attention it will receive, even if this is unpleasant.

When You're at Home
The "bad dog - good dog" technique can be used when you are at home with your dog.

To train a puppy, place it in a comfortable room. When it barks, walk quietly to the closed door and sternly tell it to be "QUIET". Do not open the door. The pup will usually stop barking at the sound of your voice.

Wait 15 to 20 seconds and if it does not bark again, open the door and praise and cuddle the dog.

This is not a reward for barking, but for being quiet as a result of your command and still gives the dog the attention it wants.

If you observe that your dog is about to bark, a firm reprimand in a stern voice - "NO - BAD DOG" - should prevent this. Now, using a friendly tone, you should command the dog to "COME", "SIT", and "STAY". Reward it for obeying. this contrast between reprimand and reward gives the dog a clear message about the effects of its good and bad behaviour.

When You're Not Home
Dogs often bark when their owners are not at home, because of a combination of social isolation and boredom. The solution can be to make your dog happy and relaxed by confining it to a small, comfortable room - a "den".

Your laundry, bathroom, or any small room would be suitable. You must make sure the dog is happy about being confined to this room while you are out, but balance this with extra exercise when you return home.

1. Make the room comfortable - not to hot, not in direct sun and with soft bedding provided.
2. Place the dog's water bowl inside its den and nowhere else - so that even when you are at home, it has to go to its den voluntarily for a drink.
3. The most important step is to lock the dog in its den for 15 minutes whenever you feed it. The dog will then associate being confined with the happiness and contentment of being fed. Leave the dog in the den for 15 minutes, then release and praise it.
4. When you leave for work, lock the dog in the den and give it food to make it happy. A large bone will help to do this and keep the dog occupied for some time. The dog will remain quiet because it is happy.

Where to go for Help
If these techniques do not work, you can contact the following organisations for help:

• Your local veterinarian - there may be another reason your dog is barking.
• Local dog obedience schools - this will help to train the dog overall and to enforce your "leadership" over the dog.

Barking Dog Collars
Collars are now available which are designed to condition your dog against barking. These collars emit a small electric charge to curb the barking behavior and do not harm the dog.

If your neighbor's dog is barking, you should try one of these solutions:

• First, approach the dog's owner as soon as the problem arises and state your case clearly and politely. He or she may not be aware of the problem. Give the owner a copy of this material. If the problem persists after a week or two, speak to the owner again to provide feedback on his or her training efforts.
• If the dog's owner is unapproachable or does not agree that a problem exists, you can contact the Bundaberg Regional Council on 4153 9280 and lodge a formal complaint. They will need accurate details of the dog's location, times of and duration of barking and any possible causes. All complaints are kept strictly confidential.

For further information on dog control, contact Council's Health and Environmental Services on 07 41539280 or email us