Dogs
Ipswich City Council values responsible animal ownership with over 25 000 registered dogs.
Animal Management Officers operate under Local Law 7 (Dogs) & Local Law 4 (Keeping & Control of Animals).
It is important to have laws & regulations in place to ensure public safety and that dogs do not create a nuisance to others. If you are experiencing problems with dogs in your neighbourhood, roaming, barking or creating a nuisance please contact Council on 07 3810 6666 and an Animal Management Officer will investigate your concerns.
Aggressive Dogs
Dogs in Australia attack many people each year. Councils are working hard to try to reduce this through legislation and public education. The reasons for dog attacks are many and varied. There are however some myths regarding dog behaviour and aggression that you should be familiar with.
Some Common Myths About Dog Attacks
Myth 1: Only certain breeds of dogs will attack people.
False: Any age, breed, sex and size of dog may bite. Some dogs or breeds of dogs may be more likely to bite than others if not socialised, trained and controlled properly. What the dog owner does with the dog after it is born, is more important in prevent aggression than the dogs breed.
Myth 2: A dog that attacks livestock or animals is always dangerous to people.
False: Not all dogs which attack other animals are dangerous to people.
Myth 3: Dogs only attack if the person has provoked the dog by teasing or cruelty.
False: Dog attacks can be provoked accidentally. The victim may not be to blame.
Myth 4: Dogs will bite people if they are fed fresh meat.
False: A dog's diet will not make it attack people.
Myth 5: It is normal for a dog to growl or snap at you or other people at times.
False: These are signs of aggression and need to be controlled in the early stages or the aggression will become worse.
Early Signs of Aggression
Does your dog ever tense up, stare, raise its hackles, growl, lift its lips or snap when:
- eating or when food is around?
- its ears, paws, tail or belly are touched?
- someone goes near its bed or toys?
- someone tries to move the dog from a comfortable spot?
- it is told off?
- someone pulls on its collar?
- someone grabs the dog, or tries to pick it up?
- it is approached by people, children or other dogs?
Does your dog lunge out at people or dogs when walking past?
Does your dog rush out barking and growling at passers by?
If the answer is 'yes' to any of these questions, your dog may be aggressive. These are all early warning signs. You need to seek professional advice to control your dogs behaviour.
Dealing With Dogs - How to Avoid an Attack
When approaching dogs:
- never run towards a dog you don't know;
- in general, avoid patting dogs you don't know;
- always get permission from the owner to pat their dog;
- approach the dog on an angle, not from behind or in front;
- slowly extend the back of the hand (not an open palm) and let the dog sniff;
- stroke the dog gently on the side of the chest or under the chin (not on the head); and
- don't continue patting the dog if it backs away or doesn't sniff the hand.
When approached by a strange dog:
- never pat the dog;
- don't run away, but stand completely still;
- don't kick at the dog, squeal or jump;
- avoid eye contact with the dog;
- keep your hands firmly by your sides and don't wave them around;
- slowly back away; and
- when the dog wanders off, quietly walk away.
Understanding a Dog's Behaviour
Dogs may bite when they are frightened or when they have been provoked to act aggressively. Leave dogs alone if they show any of the following signs:
- A frightened dog:
- has its ears back;
- has its tail curled under its legs; and
- tries to minimise its size by hunching or lying down.
An aggressive dog:
- shows its teeth and/or snarls;
- has its ears laid back but not totally lowered;
- has its tail raised; and
- tries to make itself look bigger by raising its hackles and standing on the tips of its paws.
Next time you come into contact with a dog, think about what your correct approach should be and attempt to interpret the dogs body language. Make sure you educate your children and continue to reinforce the message about the best way to deal with dogs.
Barking Dogs
Barking Dogs Can be a Nuisance
A dog that barks excessively can be annoying to your family and neighbours. If the dog's barking causes a nuisance, then its owner may be liable to a fine or court action. It is in the interest of the owner and the community to train dogs so their barking is not excessive.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
All dogs bark - it's natural. However, dogs need to learn when it is appropriate to bark and when it is not. If your dog is barking because of a behavioural issue it may be because they are:
- Seeking attention
- Bored
- Lonely
- Anxious
Training Your Dog Not to Bark
Dogs will react to the lessons they are taught and the environment around them. If a dog is seeking attention by barking, any attention (good or bad) will meet its needs. In many cases, scolding your dog for barking is not an appropriate lesson. Scolding sometimes teaches the dog that the more it barks, the more attention it will receive. Training a dog not to bark requires lessons the dog understands and possibly a change in the dog's environment. Repeat the lessons so that good behaviour is reinforced and rewarded. Establishing effective control and leadership with your dog should encourage the correct behaviour.
When You are not at Home
Dogs often bark because of a combination of social isolation and boredom. You can spend time with your dog when you are at home which will usually relieve the problem, but when your not, a solution can be to make your dog happy, relaxed and comfortable in its yard or ‘den'. You must make the dog happy about being confined to this area while you are out, but balance this with extra exercise when you return home. If you are keeping your dog in its yard you may need to modify its environment so that it is kept away from ‘sights and sounds' that make it bark.
Make sure the dog has shelter or somewhere comfortable to get out of the weather (heat, rain etc). Place the dog's water bowl inside its den or yard and nowhere else - so that even when you are at home, it has to go there voluntarily for a drink.
Lock the dog in its yard for 15 minutes whenever you feed it. The dog then will associate being confined with the happiness and contentment of being fed. Leave the dog in its yard for 15 minutes, then release and praise it.
When you leave for work, lock the dog in the yard and give it food to make it happy. A large bone will help do this and keep the dog occupied for some time. The dog will remain quiet because it is happy.
When You are at Home
Training your dog is the first step to achieving good behaviour. You only get back what you put in. Teach your dog commands, such as come, sit, stay and ....quiet. Through repetition and reward these messages should be easily learnt. Reward should be given when the dog carries out the correct behaviour, do not punish it for bad behaviour. Dogs have acute hearing and shouting commands are not necessary to get the message across. Repetition and reward work best.
Dogs are pack animals and love to be around you. Spending time with your dog is important to establish desired behaviour and will be rewarding for both you and the dog.
If the technique you are using does not work for your dog , seek an alternative such as teaching the dog to "speak" on command , and reward the dog when quiet .
Tips for training
- Try and identify what the stimuli is that is making your dog bark
- Spend time with your dog playing, walking, just hanging out together
- Be aware of your reaction to your dog barking, are you unintentionally rewarding your dog for bad behaviour?
- Reward your dog with treats and attention for good behaviour
- Work with your dog so it knows when it is appropriate to bark - for example if a stranger is on your property
- Repeat the lessons you want your dog to learn so it become a habit for them
Training Puppies
Take your puppy to "puppy school" and teach it from an early age the type of behaviour you expect. Reinforce these lessons at home. Spend time with your pup, give it plenty of exercise and things to play with. Make sure that your puppy has had plenty of social interaction with other pups and people.
For more information on animal behaviour and training please contact your local vet, animal behaviourist or council.
Dog Attacks
Ipswich City Council's Local Law No. 7 (Dogs) defines a dog attack as the following:
'Attack' means the act of a dog holding any part of a person, animal or thing in its mouth whether or not the holding is accompanied by shaking, pulling or pushing and whether or not the person, animal or thing suffers any injury.
An attack can occur on a public place or on private property if the person, animal or thing is lawfully on the private property. It is not an offence if the dog was physically provoked by the person, animal or thing.
It is also an offence under Council's Local Law No. 7 (Dogs) if a dog causes fear by rushing or threatening a person, animal or thing while on a public place or lawfully on private property.
What to do if a Dog Attacks You or Your Pet
If you or your pet are attacked by a dog, you should telephone the Ipswich City Council on (07) 3810 6666 as soon as possible after the attack. You should provide information about the location, time and date of the attack, a description of the offending dog and if possible the address where the dog is from.
If the dog bit you, visit a doctor as soon as possible for appropriate treatment. A written statement from the doctor that your injuries are consistent with a dog bite will assist with evidence for court should it be required.
If the dog attacked your animal, take your pet to the vet so its injuries can be assessed. Sometimes there may be little outward sign of injury but internal injuries could have occurred.
Once you have contacted Council, an officer will contact you for a statement and to collect other evidence. You may be asked to identify the dog involved in the attack from a photograph. The nature of any further action will depnd on how far you wish Council to pursue the matter.
Penalties for the owner of a dog involved in an attack may include fines or seizure and destruction or removal of the dog from the area. A dog may also be declared a dangerous dog as a result of an attack. This declaration imposes higher registration fees and restrictions on the keeping of the dog.
Dog Registration
Every dog in the Ipswich area aged 3 months and over must be registered with Ipswich City Council. The registration period runs from 1 July to 30 June each year.
1. Why should I register my dog?
2. When do I register?
3. Where do I register?
4. How can I pay?
5. What are the registration fees?
6. What Do I Need To Register?
7. What identification will I receive for my dog?
8. How Do I Replace Lost Tags?
9. How do I change registration details?
10. How many dogs can I keep?
1. Why should I register my dog?
Registering your dog shows that you are a responsible pet owner and care for the welfare of the community. It is also a safeguard for your dog to be returned if it becomes lost.
In addition, your registration fees help provide important services within the Ipswich City area such as animal control and community education about responsible pet ownership.
Registration can also help control the population of dogs in the city as a reduced registration fee is offered for desexed dog.
2. When do I register?
Dogs must be registered:
- Within 14 days of the dog becoming three months of age
- Within 14 days of obtaining your dog (if the dog is older than three months of age)
- Within 14 days of moving into the Ipswich City area
- Within 14 days of the date of expiry of the previous registration
3. Where do I register?
You can register your dog at:
- Customer Service Centre
Ipswich City Square
117 Brisbane Street (Cnr Bell Street), Ipswich
Hours: Monday to Friday - 8.00am - 4.30pm
- Ipswich City Council Pound & Animal Management Centre
6 Hooper Street, West Ipswich
Hours: Monday to Friday - 7.00am - 5.30pm
4. How can I pay?
Payment can be made online through our Online Payments page.
A list of alternate payment methods is also available.
5. What are the registration fees?
Registration fees are set each year by Council and the registration period runs from 1 July to 30 June. Once your dog is registered a renewal notice will be sent to you automatically at the end of each financial year. To find out how much dog registration is please refer to Council's Fees and Charges.
Discounted fees are available to persons who are currently receiving certain government pensions and owners of desexed dogs and farm working dogs.
You can request a registration form to be mailed to you by contacting Ipswich City Council on (07) 3810 6666.
6. What Do I Need To Register?
You need to provide the following information to Council to register your dog:
- Breed
- Colour
- Owner's name, address and contact number
- Desexing certificate (if required for discount)
- Registration fee
- Age
- Sex
- Property details where the dog is kept
- Proof of pension entitlement
7. What identification will I receive for my dog?
Once registered, you will receive a registration number and tag for your dog. The tag must be worn by the dog at all times. This tag will assist the return of your dog in the event that it becomes lost.
8. How Do I Replace Lost Tags?
If you lose the registration number, another can be issued to you if you contact Council on (07) 3810 6666.
9. How do I change registration details?
It is very important that you advise Council of any changes to your dogs registration details.
For example, if you move house or change your telephone number, Council must alter their records so we can still contact you if your dog is found outside your property. It also ensures tha you receive your annual renewal notice and your dog isn't left unregistered after the annual expiry date.
10. How many dogs can I keep?
Maximum dog numbers are set by Council to ensure that dogs are kept in a healthy environment and that neighbours are not inconvenienced.
Two (2) dogs can be kept on properties smaller than 2,000m, and
Four (4) dogs can be kept on properties 2,000m or greater.
Council does consider special cases and owners can apply for a Special Permit or a Kennel Licence to keep more than this number of dogs. However there are requirements to be met such as kennel accommodation to be provided for the dogs.
Dogs in Public Places
Responsible dog owners ensure that their dogs are exercised well. This can range from playing ball in the backyard, to walking or running in public. When in public it's very important to keep your dog under control. This includes when you're exercising your dog in a leash free area.
Leash Control:
- When taking your dog for a walk anywhere in public your dog must be on a leash.
- The leash should be in good condition, under two (2) metres in length and of a suitable strength.
- The leash must be securely held by a responsible person.
- When on the leash you should be able to stop your dog from pulling the leash out of your hands and from rushing up to other people and dogs.
- Obedience training can help you and your dog achieve this level of control.
Leash Free Areas:
Council currently has leash free areas located at:
- Battye Park- Pine Mountain Road, Brassall
- Wulkuraka Park, Toongarra Road Wulkuraka
- David W Coultas Park, South Station Road Raceview
- Rex Hawkes Park, Russell Drive Redbank Plains
- Banjo Paterson Park - Duncan Street, Collingwood Park
- Noel Street reserve - Noel Street, Dinmore
- Cribb Park - Pelican Street, North Ipswich (off Bank St)
- Jack Barkley Park - Gledson Street, North Booval
Dogs must be on a leash until they are inside the boundary of the leash free area.
When in the leash free area, the dog must still be under verbal control of the owner. This means that the dog will respond immediately to the owner's command. The owner should be able to stop the dog from rushing up to people and other dogs and must hold the leash in case it is required for control.
Obedience training can help you and your dog achieve this level of control.
If you know your dog may be aggressive towards other dogs and/or people, be responsible and do not take your dog into a leash free area when in use.
Dog droppings:
Council are happy for you to take your dog out in public for exercise, however, other City residents should not have to deal with your dog's droppings on their front lawns, footpaths and in other public areas.
Council's local law states that you must dispose of your dog's droppings, and you must carry with you a scoop and/or some plastic bags to ensure droppings are collected. Specific devices for this purpose can be purchased from pet shops.
Roaming Dogs
It is not responsible of a pet owner to knowingly allow their dog to roam outside their property. When outside of your property, your dog may be stolen, injured, poisoned or even worse, killed. It could also injure a person or other animal. Roaming dogs are a nuisance and it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that their dog does not roam.
How To Stop Your Dog Roaming
If your dog is escaping from your property you must try to ascertain quickly the escape route. Often neighbours who witness the dog getting out can be helpful if the escape route isn't obvious to you. It may be something you didn't think the animal could do.
Fences:
Check all boundary fences and gates. Dogs can jump over, tunnel under, push over or break through fences and gates to escape your property. You must ensure that your fence is capable of keeping your dog on the property.
If your dog jumps, you can add a strong extension to the fence to add height, or alternatively, add an inward sloping extension to discourage jumping.
Tunnelling can be hindered by placing a concrete trench around the bottom of the fence or alternatively attaching a strip of chicken wire to the bottom of the fence and burying it effectively. The type of wire you use of course depends on the strength of your dog. For example, chicken wire may stop a Maltese Terrier but may do little to hinder a Rottweiler escaping.
If you have a wooden fence, check the condition of the palings and other structural elements to ensure they are strong and secure so your dog cannot push them over and walk through the fence. For wire fences, check that the wire is firmly secured to the structural elements of the fence.
Enclosures:
If you don't have a fence or if you rent a property and are not willing to pay for a fence, you may erect a suitable enclosure for your dog. The RSPCA can assist you in determining the correct size of enclosure for your dog.
When providing an enclosure you must consider:
- Size - the dog must be able to move about freely and exercise within the enclosure.
- Shelter - the enclosure must have a sheltered area for the dog to escape the elements and to eat and sleep comfortably.
- Position - the enclosure should be in a quiet spot where the dog won't become over-stimulated by people or other animals passing by.
- Building materials - the enclosure should be built from materials that match the strength of your dog and should be constructed such that the dog cannot escape by jumping over or tunnelling under the enclosure.
- Floor - your dog will benefit from a concrete floor in its enclosure as it is easier to keep clean and disease free. Ensure you provide some easy to clean bedding for comfort.
- Water - ensure your dog has access to clean water. Provide a large bowl in its enclosure and refill every day.
- Finally, a dog that is permanently kept in an enclosure should be exercised regularly such as a long walk or run on a lead once a day.
Running wires and tethering:
Placing your dog on a runner or tying it up are not permitted under Council's local laws. Dogs can get tangled and injury can be caused to the dog.
Problems With Confinement
Dogs, like humans, don't like to be confined. Just like people they get bored and try to find something to fill their time. Unfortunately, the dogs can cause a nuisance and may bark, damage property or injure themselves trying to break free.
What To Do To Stop These Problems:
Gradually introduce your dog to confinement by keeping it inside the enclosure for short periods of time on its own. Start when you are at home and then go out for increasingly longer periods of time until the dog is used to being inside its enclosure whilst you are gone. Ask your neighbours how the dog behaved when you were out.
Feed and play with the dog inside the enclosure so it doesn't think the enclosure is punishment.
Make sure the enclosure is secure, safe and placed in a quiet area of the property with limited visual stimulus.
Ensure that your dog has water, food, toys and is comfortable.
What Happens To Roaming Dogs?
Roaming dogs can be impounded by any member of the public or collected by Animal Management Officers from public property. If your dog is registered you will be contacted. You should immediately ring the pound if your dog is missing. Release fees and any outstanding registration will need to be paid prior to the dog being released to you.
If a dog is not claimed from the pound after 3 clear working days Council will endeavour to re-house the dog with an approved welfare agency, or if the dog is not suitable for re-housing it may be put to sleep.
Alternatively your dog could be taken in by another household if it is found roaming. It could be injured or killed by a vehicle or could injure or kill another animal. Roaming dogs may attack people and can cause terrible injuries for which you may be liable.
Further Information
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