Dogs

Owning a dog is a commitment which needs careful consideration. Become a responsible dog owner and you and your best friend will both be happy!

The Dog Act 1976 legislates for the ownership of dogs in Western Australia and encourages responsible pet ownership. All dogs over the age of 3 months must be:

Micro-chipped, wearing a collar and registration tags - for identification purposes; and
Registered - with the Local Government.

In addition to the above, you should seriously consider having your dog sterilised. Thousands of unwanted dogs are dumped and destroyed every year. Sterilising your dog is a simple answer to prevent unwanted litters. Registration is cheaper for sterilised dogs.

Responsible Dog Ownership Brochure

Dog registration

All dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered. Registration and ensuring your dog is wearing its tag means your pet can be identified quickly should they wander off. Registrations can be made for one or three years or the lifetime of your pet. Registrations (excluding lifetime tags) expire on 31st October of each year.

If your dog is already registered with a one or three year tag, you will receive a registration renewal form prior to the expiry date on the tag.

For puppies and dogs new to the Shire of Manjimup, please download the registration form and visit the Shire office to complete your dog's registration. Proof of micro chipping will be required.

Lifetime registrations are available for both sterilised and unsterilised dogs. If you pay the full registration for an unsterilised dog, being $250, a refund of $150 is available if you have that dog sterilised in the first year of that lifetime registration. Refunds of $100 and $50 respectively are available when dogs with a lifetime registration are sterilised in the second and third year from the registration date. No refund is available after three years.

Registration fees and refunds for sterilisation will be as follows (Source: Department of Local Government and Communities)

Unsterilised Dog Registration Period	Unsterilised Dog Registration Fee	Sterilisation Refund - First year after registration date	Sterilisation Refund - Second year after registration date	Sterilisation Refund - Third year after registration date	Sterilisation Refund - Subsequent years after registration
1 year	$50	$30	Not applicable	Not applicable	Nil
3 year	$120	$77.50	$51.66	$25.83	Nil
Lifetime	$250	$150	$100	$50	Nil

You need to tell us!

Should you move within the Shire of Manjimup, you must notify the Shire so that your dog's registration details can be updated.
If you move away from the Shire of Manjimup, you must notify us and transfer your dog's registration to the new City/Shire. Complete the change of address form and give a copy to the Shire of Manjimup and your new City/Shire.
You must also notify the Shire if your dog is deceased or goes to a new owner.

You can let the Shire know by completing the animal maintenance form and returning it to the Shire.

Dog exercise areas

The Shire of Manjimup has specific dog exercise areas where dog owners can have their dog/s off the lead. Download the information to find out where and how you can use these areas.

Barking dogs

All dogs bark, but some barking dogs become a nuisance. Excessive, persistent barking is one of the most disruptive neighbourhood issues and requires immediate attention. Dog owners are required to take reasonable action in regard to nuisance behaviour such as barking. Failure to do so, may result in an infringement notice being issued.

If you have a dog whose barking is becoming a nuisance, refer to the fact sheet Nuisance Barking Dogs for some tips on how to address the problem. You can also take your dog to obedience classes or speak to your veterinarian for advice.

If you live near a dog that is barking excessively, you can approach the owner if you feel it is safe to do so. The owner may be unaware of the problem due to being away from home while the dog barks. If you feel the owner may be unapproachable or the problem behaviour remains, contact us to make a complaint to Ranger Services.

Dangerous dogs

The Dog Act 1976 has recently been amended to strengthen the provisions around dangerous dogs. Any dog can be dangerous. The Act identifies three types of dangerous dogs:

restricted breed as recognised under the Act;
declared by the Local Government; and
commercial security dog.

Restricted breeds

The following breeds of dogs have been identified by the Commonwealth Government as being particularly aggressive. They have been banned from import into Australia and each State and territory has introduced legislation to protect the community from these breeds.

Dogo Argentino;
Fila Brasileiro;
Japanese tosa;
American pit bull terrier;
Pit bull terrier;
Perro de presa Canario or Presa Canario; and
A mix of two or more breeds, one being a restricted breed.

For more information, particularly on the responsibilities of the owner of a restricted breed dog, refer to the fact sheet Dangerous Dogs - Restricted.

Declared dogs

Local governments are able to declare a dog dangerous based on its behaviour. Reasons that a dog may be declared dangerous include the dog:

causing injury or damage by an attack, or chasing, a person or animal;
repeatedly showing a tendency to attack or chase, a person, animal or vehicle; or
threatening to attack.

A local government must give written notice to the owner declaring the dog to be dangerous. Seven days after the notice is given, the declaration takes effect. The owner must comply with the Act to identify their dog as a declared dog and put in place the protection measures within the seven days. More information can be found in the fact sheet Dangerous Dogs - Declared.

Wandering dogs

As a dog owner you MUST make sure that your dog is not able to wander off your property. A condition of registration is that all dogs be wholly confined within their premises. Wandering dogs may be impounded and the owner fined. Penalty may be incurred. If your dog causes damage, or injuries to a person or another animal while it is wandering, you may be liable for the damage.

If you find a wandering dog, contact us as soon as possible. If you keep the dog without reporting it to Ranger Services, the dog's owner may not be able to find it.

If your dog is missing, contact us as soon as possible. The dog may have already been impounded or reported as being picked up by someone else, in which case the Shire can advise you of the dog's whereabouts.