Animal Management - FAQs
Why has Council prepared a Domestic Animal Management Plan?
All Councils across Victoria are required to develop a Domestic Animal Management Plan once every four years under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
The Domestic Animal Management Plan is a Council document that focuses on the management of dogs and cats, and outlines the key issues, objectives and priorities for how these will be managed.
Why does the plan only address dogs and cats?
The Domestic Animal Management Plan only includes actions in relation to dogs and cats as the Domestic Animals Act 1994 only refers only dogs and cats. The purpose of the Act is to “promote animal welfare, the responsible ownership of dogs and cats and the protection of the environment”.
What does the plan include?
There are a range of topic areas covered in the plan. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all Councils must include the following in their Domestic Animal Management Plan:
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Introduction
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Training of authorised officers
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Registration and Identification
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Nuisance Complaints
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Dog Attacks
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Dangerous, Menacing and Restricted Breed Dogs
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Overpopulation and high euthanasia
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Domestic Animal Businesses
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Other matters
The plan includes a range of priorities and actions for Council to address across each of these topic areas including a mix of new and ongoing actions. The ongoing actions will continue on from Council’s previous management plan (2017-2021).