Rules of Dog Owning

Owning a dog can bring huge rewards, but it also brings responsibilities. Responsibilities to the dog and its welfare, to your neighbours and their interaction with your dog, to the surrounding area and the effect your dog has upon it.

Here are listed the guidelines which will enable you, your pet and your neighbourhood to be happy with the introduction if this new living thing into the local environment.

Fines can be imposed if you break the rules - they are listed here.
   
Choose a dog suited to your lifestyle. Inflicting a lifestyle which goes against the dog's breeding can lead to frustration and bad behaviour.

Regular visits to the vet, ensure your dog does not become sick or infect others with sickness.

Regular worming prevents infection which is distressing, if not fatal to him, and can also pass on disease to people through its faeces.

Immunise your dog against canine diseases.

Keep your dog free from fleas by use of one of the available preventers from your vet or your supermarket or Pet Barn. A flea free dog will not scratch himself and cause skin sores, nor will your home become infested with fleas.

Discuss the pros and cons of neutering your pet with your vet- do you want puppies? Do you want your dog to roam when a local bitch is on heat, or do you want the local dogs barking outside your home when your bitch is mateable?

Exercise your dog.

Taking him out for a walk is good for his physical well being - and yours (don't forget to take a pooper scooper or polythene bag to collect his droppings). It is also good for his psychological welfare - fulfilling his doggy need of marking his territory and using his nose to investigate who and what has been there.

Keep him on a lead - this is the law - unless you are in a leash free zone. Keeping your dog in a safely fenced area is essential. A dog roaming free is a liability to himself and others. Loose dogs may attack wildlife, cause car accidents, frighten people, damage others property, and damage themselves.

Your dog must be registered with the council ( and wear his registration disc). He should also be microchipped so he you can be found if he gets lost.

Fines can be imposed on owners whose dogs disobey the rules, please obey them for your comfort and those who live in your locality

Train your dog.

A badly behaved dog is a liability to himself and everyone he meets. Being dragged down the road by a dog on a lead is not fun. Dogs need to know how they should behave and you must show them. If you need help, take them to a reliable dog training school - this is also a good socialising area for you and you pet, and new friendships may develop.

Being kept awake by a barking dog isn't fun either! Teach your dog not to bark all night - or all day! If you need help, approach BarkBusters.

Don't keep him confined to a small area where he cannot see any of the surrounding world. He will be bored out of his mind. Dogs need to see something of their perceived territory - even being able to see out of a window can be enough..

If your dog is kept outside at night, make sure he has warm shelter, sitting in the dark on a cold wet night isn't fun for him, and won't improve his health. A sturdy kennel or shed provides adequate protection from the weather and allows him to feel protected when he sleeps.

Your dog may really enjoy obedience training and many a doggy star develops via a training school - you may find a new hobby and your dog may enjoy showing his skills in front of an audience.
If for reasons beyond your control you are unable to continue caring for your dog, find him a good home. Your vet may help with notice in the surgery, an advert in a newspaper or on the Internet, or the local boarding kennels or RSPCA may be able to help. Never, never abandon your pet.
If you need help with any doggy problems, contact your local vet. They are the experts and will be glad to help.
back to "fines can be imposed'
Fines can be imposed if you break the rules...
a) unregistered dog $40
b) failure to have owner's name and address on the dog's registration collar $40
c) having a registered dog outside the owner's premises without a registration collar $40
d) an unregistered dog wearing a registration collar $100
e) unlawful removal of a registration collar $100
f) false statement on a registration form $100
g) altering a registration badge or disc $100
h) unleashed dog in s street or public place $100
i) dog at large outside owner's premises $100
j) failure to remove paces when dog defecates in street or public place $100
k) any dog in a shopping area $100
l) on a beach or public bathing area $100
m) within 10m of food preparation area in park $100
n) within 10m of playing apparatus in parks $100
o) in school grounds without permission $100
p) walking unmuzzled greyhound in street, or public place $100
q) failure to notify council of transfer of ownership of a dog and address of new owner $40
r) Illegal seizure destruction or sale of a dog $200
s)) dog attacking people or other animals in a public place $200
 
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