Dog Control

The West Australian “Dog Act 1976″ is the legislation managed by Rangers to ensure dog control and welfare. This Act of Parliament is to insure public safety and to protect dogs from neglect or harm. It can make being an irresponsible dog owner a very expensive exercise with heavy fines and terms of imprisonment also an option for the Court’s consideration.

Most dogs rangers deal with are friendly, however they do work with those that are savage and potentially dangerous. Any breed of dog can be dangerous and the Dog Act provides the necessary legislation to deal with these animals and their owners.

It is the opinion of rangers generally and that of the WA Rangers Association, that dangerous dog laws are quite adequate with regard to dogs that may be a threat to public safety. It is the view of this Association, that restricted breed legislation is unworkable and not fit for purpose. Many feel it is as senseless as blaming a religion or race for the crimes of a small minority. It is widely agreed by animal control officers Worldwide, that the main problem with dangerous dogs is found at the other end of the leash with irresponsible dog ownership.

Dogs in Public Places

When in any public place in Western Australia, dogs must be tethered or on a leash unless the place is a designated “Dog Exercise Area”. Even when in a dog exercise area, owners are still held fully responsible for the control and behaviour of their animals. If a dog is found to be wandering at large or being walked by its owner off a leash in a public place, a $100 infringement notice may be issued by Council Rangers.

As a first offender, the Ranger has chosen to give an explanation of the laws and a friendly warning along with a free dog leash to this dog owner on this occasion, but it is entirely up to the discretion of the Ranger as to whether a warning or fine is appropriate. The owner’s attitude will also determine the outcome of the situation as to what action will be taken.

Dog Exercise Areas

Councils make provisions for people to exercise their dogs in off leash areas. Between their home and the dog exercise area, the dog must be on a leash if being walked. On arrival at the exercise area, the dog may be released but must still remain under effective control. Some exercise areas may also have time restrictions placed on them for example, off leash times may be between 5.30am and 8.00am only and usually seven days a week. Designated areas may include parks, sections of bushland and as shown below, certain sections of the coast known as a “Dog Beach”. In the interests of public health & safety, dogs are prohibited on all other beaches at all times whether on or off a leash. Areas where there is the presence of wildlife are not usually suitable as exercise parks.

Rangers often find there is no need to visit or enforce regulations in dog exercise areas. If an irresponsible dog owner allows their animal to misbehave, other dog owners in the park will soon bring that person back into line, as exercising dogs is usually a very social time for the dogs and their owners.

Ranger Training

Rangers are fully trained to handle and control dogs under most circumstances. Training in the use of special equipment and animal behaviour is obtained through C Y O’Connor TAFE, Gold Security and at the Association’s annual training conferences.

A full list of ranger training can be viewed on the “Ranger Training” page of this Website.

 

Infringement Notices

In the case of minor offences against this Act, a Ranger may issue an “on the spot fine” in the form of an infringement notice to which the alleged offender has 28 days to pay or elect to have the matter dealt with through the Courts.

Examples:

Section	Matter to which section relates	Penalty
7(1)	Unregistered dog.	$100
30(2)	Dog in public place without collar or tags.	$50
31(3)	Dog not on leash in certain public place.	$100
38(1a)	Dog causing a nuisance.	$100
43A	Failure of alleged offender to give full name and address.	$100

Courts of Law

In the event of more serious offences, infringement notices cannot be issued, alleged offenders must be summonsed before a Court. These would include a dog attack, urging a dog to attack or doing harm to a dog with penalties of up to $10,000 and or 12 months imprisonment. Manslaughter charges have been laid where dogs have attacked and caused a fatality, this then leaves Local Government jurisdiction and becomes a Police criminal prosecution.

Fines Enforcement Registry

The Fines Enforcement Registry is a department of the Ministry of Justice in Western Australia. Where an offence has been dealt with by infringement notice and that notice has not been paid within the prescribed time or the alleged offender has not elected to have the matter dealt with by a Court, the matter is then referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry (FER).

Any infringement notice can be lodged with FER, parking, litter, traffic or dog infringements. If the infringement notice remains outstanding and the alleged offender ignores the matter, FER may deal with it by the following alternatives:

~ Alleged offender’s driver’s licence is suspended.

~ Vehicle licence papers may be suspended.

~ Bailiff may enter and seize property.

~ A community work order may be imposed.

~ Imprisonment.

~ One way or the other, the matter will be dealt with.

Impounding of Animals

The impounding of animals is usually a last resort. Under the Dog Act of 1976, a dog found wandering my be picked up and taken to a pound, after 72 hours if unclaimed it becomes the property of the pound and may be sold or in time put down. If the rightful owner claims the dog within the 72 hours, the dog is returned to them after paying the pound fee and the cost of caring for the dog while in their care. If however the 72 hours has elapsed, that person would be given first option to buy back their dog at whatever cost the pound feels is reasonable.

Euthanasia is a last resort and in some places a non-euthanasia policy is maintained. In most areas lethal injection is used to dispatch animals with shooting normally only taking place in rural and outback areas where stray dogs are very difficult to capture. Long distances from veterinary clinics may also be a factor but Rangers are highly trained in firearms use and only the most humane methods are used.

The “Dog Act” is tough legislation with severe penalties but this may account for the fact that not too many dogs are seen wandering the streets as compared to other countries, and the notion of letting Fido off the leash for a quick run is very often an expensive mistake.

Enforcement and prosecution is also a last resort. We believe responsible animal management comes from quality education programs, not training animals to do the right thing but educating people and changing attitudes. Some people say, “I have rights” when they should be saying, “I have responsibilities”.

Registration

All dogs over the age of three months must be registered with the local Council. When a registered dog is picked up by a Ranger it can be returned very quickly to its owner, in fact most dogs with registration tags and clear identification are returned home but this is not the case with unregistered animals. Identification programs are a must for effective animal control!

 

Public Education

WA Rangers are dedicated to animal welfare and control. We spend many hours developing education programs for schools and community groups, raising public awareness in responsible pet ownership.

Our programs are held in the highest regard with enquiries coming from around the World. The WARA K9 Aware program is now being used by Community Wardens in the UK. Shown below are Community Wardens in Yorkshire England, doing a school presentation using WARA Website information.