Pet ownership

To ensure the comfort, safety and health of the whole of the community, the law places responsibilities on all pet owners and failure to do so may result in on-the-spot fines.

• If your dog is in a public place, it must wear a collar around its neck with a tag attached that shows the dog's name and address or phone number of the dog's owner
• Dogs in approved leash free areas, must always be under effective control of a competent person
•  In other areas, dogs must be under effective control using a chain, cord or leash
• A person may not be responsible for more than four dogs at any time in on-leash or off-leash areas
•  If your dog defecates in a public place, it is an offence not to remove the faeces
•  Dogs are prohibited in children’s play areas, food preparation/consumption areas, recreation areas, public bathing areas, school grounds, childcare centres, shopping areas and wildlife protection areas
•  Greyhounds must be muzzled and wear an approved collar in public places unless they have successfully completed an approved greyhound re-training program

Narrandera’s off-leash dog park, adjacent to Henry Mathieson Oval, means you can take your dog for exercise without having to use a leash. You can access the dog park from both Pine Hill Road and Lethbridge Drive.

Dogs and cats can reproduce several times a year and as early as five months of age, resulting in overpopulation of dogs and cats. Reasons to have your pets desexed

• Prevents large numbers of unwanted puppies or kittens
• Pets live longer and have healthier lives
• Reduces your pet’s risk of cancer and other diseases
• Saves you money when you register your pet
• Reduces tendency to wander
• Reduces territorial behaviour
• Reduces your pet’s likelihood of developing aggressive tendencies towards people and other animals

A dog attack can include any incident where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), regardless of whether any injury is caused to the person or animal.

By law, Council is required to report dog attacks in their area to the Division of Local Government and undertake an investigation of the matter.

To ensure the safety of the community, immediately report any dog attack incidents to Council’s Ranger Services on 0429 043 719.

Dogs bark for a number of reasons, including

• Loneliness
• Illness
• Lack of training
• Lack of exercise
• Being kept in a small space
• Mistreatment
• Provocation
• Hunger or thirst

If you have a complaint about a dog continuously barking, council suggests you approach the owner of the dog. It is possible the owner may not be aware that the dog is causing a noise nuisance in the neighbourhood.

If you are unable to talk to the owner, please keep a 14-day diary detailing the time and frequency of the dog barking and provide this to council. Diary entries help Ranger Services with any investigation. Council will also advise the dog owner in writing that their dog is causing a noise nuisance in the neighbourhood.

If the complaint is proven and continues to be a problem, a Nuisance Order may be served on the owner of the dog. A Nuisance Order is in place for six months and failure to comply with the order can result in penalties being issued.