The plan was developed in consultation with Surf Coast Shire Councillors, Surf Coast Shire’s Executive Management Team, Team Leader – Local Laws, Local Laws Team, Surf Coast community, Boarding Establishments and Pet Businesses. 2.0 DOMESTIC ANIMAL PLAN REVIEW 2008 – 2012 The below denotes reviews the outcome for the actions in the DAMP 2008 – 2012. Sec Program / Service Initiative Action Completed / Outcome 9.1 Conduct Animal Management Officer Training. Arrange attendance at all Bureau of Animal Welfare Training Seminars. Animal management handling and training. Training programs with other Councils. All Local Laws Officers attended Bureau of Animal welfare Training Sessions including, additional specific animal training programs. Two Laws Officers have completed a Certificate IV – Government Statutory Compliance or Certificate IV – Animal Control or Regulation. Firearms training, with three Local Laws Officers licenced. 9.2 Promote and Encourage responsible Pet Ownership. Distribute pet brochures throughout Surf Coast Shire. Display pet educational material at Surf Coast Civic Centre and maintain and up to date information on Council’s website. Encourage re-housing practices, where pet owners are unable to care for their pet. Enforce Council Local Laws that require all people in charge of an animal whilst on Council land, a roadway or public place, have in their possession a bag to container which can be used for the collection of that animals excrement. Brochures have been produced and distributed from Civic Centre and annual Microchipping Days. Information listed on Council’s web site. Extensive media releases during life of Plan Agreement with GAWS to rehouse all unclaimed pets where possible. 9.3 Ensure compliance with Act and Regulations. Conduct an annual doorknock to identify and register all dogs and cats. Provide 24 hour 7 day per week response service. Enforce microchip requirements for all new pet registrations. Monitor compliance of all beaches in relation to dogs. Doorknocks have been conducted each year to identify unregistered dogs and cats. After hours service has continued dealing with all pet related issues. Council will only accept dog and cat registrations that show proof of micro chipping. All beaches are regularly patrolled.
9.4 Minimise the risk of dog attacks. Monitor and review dog off-leash areas. Conduct regular patrols of all council parks, beaches and reserves. Ensure properties have suitable fencing to securely contain dogs. All council parks, beaches and reserves have been regularly checked by staff. Notices have been issued to properties for failing to provide adequate fencing to secure dogs.
Promote effective confinement and control of dogs. Ongoing Face to face contact Media releases Council website Council magazine Face to face contact Objective 2: To provide readily accessible information to the public relating to the prevention of Dog Attacks (Compliance Activities). Activity When Evaluation Develop dog attack investigation and enforcement policy and procedures. Dec 2012 Ensures consistency Respond to/attend dog attack reports as a matter of urgency as a top priority for AMOs. Ongoing Ensures public safety Conduct regular patrols to make sure dogs are confined to premises. Ongoing Day to day process Promotes compliance AMOs visible to public Report outcomes of major dog attack prosecutions to local media to raise awareness in the community of the need to report dog attacks and Council’s action in relation to attacks. Ongoing Public interest Demonstrates Councils stance Provide an after-hours number to report dog attacks. Ongoing Through hours number Website Face to face 7.0 DANGEROUS, MENACING AND RESTRICTED BREED DOGS The purpose of this section is 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 under Section 68A(2)(c)(vii) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. 7.1 CURRENT SITUATION Declared 2012 Dangerous Dogs 4 Restricted Dogs 0 Menacing Dogs 0
DISASTER PLANNING FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS WITHIN SURF COAST SHIRE Objective: "To promote the safety and well being of domestic animals which are or may be adversely affected during a disaster" OPERATIONS MANUAL Domestic Animals Disaster Evacuation Group This group was formed on 10 August as a Surf Coast Shire initiative in conjunction with its members. The members consist primarily of dog and cat boarding proprietors along with Surf Coast Shire representatives (Authorised Officers) with a concern for the welfare of pets belonging to people who have been displaced from their homes during a disaster such as fire or flood. This operations manual has been produced for members of the Disaster Evacuation Group and interested parties. It should be used as a training manual and be taken to a and be utilised as a reference manual. Thank you for your interest and support of the DADEG (Domestic Animals Disaster Evacuation Group). Brooke Ranken Team Leader Local Laws Shire What is the Domestic Animals Disaster Evacuation Group? (DADEG)