No pet owner wants their dog or cat to wander at large, and would prefer they remain at home within their property boundaries. It is important that dogs and cats are registered and microchipped, in order to allow Council to identify and make every effort to reunite a dog or cat with their owner as soon as possible.

While some people might think a dog wandering at large is harmless exploring, these dogs cause a nuisance, are often distressed and may attack or harass people or other animals. In some cases they cause road accidents resulting in injury to the dog and, on occasion, to vehicle occupants and may cause property damage – all of which becomes the responsibility of the owner of the dog.

In accordance with the Act, it is an offence to allow a dog to wander at large. A dog will be taken to be wandering at large if it is in a public place, other than a designated off leash area/dog park, or a private place without the consent of the occupier and no person is exercising effective control by way of a physical restraint.

Roxby Council provides the community with education to ensure that dog owners are made aware of their responsibilities to register their dog, adequately fence their property to control their dog, keep their dog under effective control when in a public place and utilising Council’s off leash areas and enclosed dog park. Upon request, the Council Ranger is able to attend a property, and assess the boundaries, fencing and gates to ensure a secure yard.

Seized dogs and cats are detained in the Council Pound. If the dog or cat is registered the owner is contacted and required to pay an impound and handling fee.  A detention notice is produced and displayed, if an unregistered dog or cat is detained for 72hrs, and the owner is unknown or uncontactable, the dog if suitable, will be rehomed out of Roxby Downs or a cat will be taken to the Councils local service provider to be euthanised.

Council’s Ranger supports and positively encourages complying behaviour to offenders and acknowledges and commends those who make every effort in containing their dogs or cats within their property boundaries. Warnings are issued to first offenders of a minor nature, where no harm to a person or property has occurred, however penalties will be applied for re-offenders, in accordance with the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995.