Owning any animal comes with responsibilities. The information below will assist in the clarification of some of the responsibilities that YOU as an owner are required to be aware of and comply with if you own a dog.
Barking Dogs
You are responsible for ensuring that your dog is not creating a public nuisance by barking excessively. Should the Shire recieve a complaint relating to dog nuisances, rangers will investigate and act accordingly.
Please consider the impact of your dog' behaviour on your neighbours.
Barking is a normal behaviour for dogs and an important means of communication. However, when dogs bark excessively they become a nuisance to their owners and the neighbourhood. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons and it is important to work out why your dog is barking excessively. Once the underlying cause and 'triggers' for the barking are identified, training techniques can be used to treat the excessive barking.
The Shire's aim is to resolve the matter with all parties concerned and to educate dog owners on their responsibilities when it comes to issues such as these. Rangers are specialised in providing practical solutions to help solve barking matters.
What should I do if I'm affected by a barking dog?
Contact the owner of the dog either directly or with a polite anonymous letter. If you are unable to approach the owner or there is no change in the dog's behaviour, you can contact the Rangers to commence an investigation.
In a lot of instances we find that the owners simply do not know how much of a nuisance their dog is causing when they are not at home. It's advisable to leave a note to the neighbour explaining the dog's behaviour and leave it in their mailbox.
What Now?
Once the Shire has received your complaint, we will be formally notifying the owner of the dog and the complainant. Enclosed in both packs will be Barking Dog Diaries and various helpful information for the dog owner. In a lot of instances, the dog owner is unaware that their dog barks excessively as they may be at work.
Solving a barking dog problem may not be stopped straight away. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes.
If you have any concerns or would like to make a complaint please contact the Shire Ranger in writing or contact (08) 9175 8000.
How many dogs can I keep at home?
Each household is allowed to keep NO more than two dogs over the age of three months. All dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with the Shire of East Pilbara. If you wish to keep more than two dogs, you must first apply to the Shire of East Pilbara.
Download application to keep more than two (2) dogs
What if I lose my dog?
You should inform Ranger Services immediately on (08) 9175 8000.
Remember if your dog is wearing a collar / tag and is micro chipped it can be more easily identified. It is also helpful if you keep a current photo of your animal.
Dangerous Dogs
The Dog Act 1976 was recently amended to bring the provisions relating to restricted breeds from regulations into the Act. They are designed to require responsible ownership of these dogs which are known to be more genetically disposed to be aggressive.
Dangerous Dogs can be of any breed and the Act identifies three types of dangerous dogs:
- Dangerous Dog (Restricted Breed)
- Dangerous Dog (Declared)
- Commercial Security Dog
Certain breeds of dogs have been identified by the commonwealth government as being particularly aggressive. These breeds have been banned from import into Australia and each state and territory has introduced legislation to protect the community from these breeds.
What dog breeds are restricted
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese tosa
- American pitbull terrier
- Pitbull Terrier
- Perro de presa Canario or Presna Canario
- This also includes any dog visibly containing any of the above breeds
Protection measures for any dog that is classed as a dangerous dog
- Dogs must wear a prescribed collar at all times when in a public place. The collar is to be red and yellow diagonal stripes of 25mm in width. One of these colours must be fluorescent.
- Property to display Dangerous Dogs signs.
- Dog to be confined in a space that is escape proof and child proof.
- Compulsory sterilisation and micro-chipping.
- Compulsory notification to a local government if a dangerous dog escapes or dies.
- Dogs must be on a leash and muzzled while in public places at all times.
- It is an offence to sell, buy or advertise for sale, restricted breed dogs.
Registration of dangerous dogs
All dangerous dogs can only be registered annually and an additional inspection fee must be paid at the time of registration. A Ranger will inspect your property to ensure all protection measures are being complied with.
Penalties and infringements
All dangerous dog offences are an on-the-spot fine of $400.00 per offence. Where an owner fails to comply with these regulations a seizure and destruction order may be obtained. The Dog Act and Dog Regulations provide for a maximum penalty of $10,000.
Dog Exercise Areas
The Shire has a number of dog exercise areas where your dog can roam off a leash. Please make sure your dog is under control and prevent any conflict with other dogs and people. The person exercising the dog must be capable of controlling the dog and have a leash in hand.
The list of all dog exercise parks within the Shire are listed below:
Newman
- Emu , Goanna & Kangaroo Ovals -Fortescue Avenue
- Dogs are NOT ALLOWED on the main Capricorn AFL Sporting Oval
- Boorthana Park - Boothana Crescent and Minbalup Crescent (Lot 840)
- Boomerang Oval - Newman Drive (R38512)
- Dingo Park (Dog Agility Park) - Newman Drive
Nullagine
- 167 Cooke Street (R23348)
Marble Bar
- 230 General Street (R29882)
Where Dogs are not Allowed
There are certain areas where dogs are absolutely not allowed by Dog Act 1976, Health Act 1911 or the Shire's local laws. These areas are as follows:
- Main sporting oval at Capricorn Sporting Complex
- An area set aside by wall or fence as a children's playground, or where there is no wall or fence no dogs shall be within 10m from playing equipment
- An area within 10m of the edge of a playing field being used for sporting or other activities during the times of such use
- A public building
- All food premises and food transport vehicle
- A public swimming pool
- A public toilet block or changing room
- A cemetery
Guide Dogs are an exception and are permitted to be in the above areas.