Thank you for providing feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-2025
Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, every Victorian local government must prepare a plan outlining how it will manage dogs and cats within its municipal boundaries.
The Domestic Animal Management Plan aims to promote
responsible pet ownership, the welfare of cats and dogs in the
community and the protection of the community and environment
from nuisance cats and dogs.
- Encourage statuary compliance and promote responsible pet ownership
- Reduce nuisance caused by cats and dogs
- Minimise dog attacks
- Enhance community safety by reducing the number of dogs not under effective control in Councils off lead parks and reserves
- Review Councils animal management service which include Local Laws provisions and existing Orders made under the Act
- Increase registration of cats and dogs
- Ensure authorised officers are appropriately trained to conduct their animal management duties
- Promote the benefits of desexing cats and dogs
- Continue to reunite lost and found cats and dogs to their owners when possible
- Continue to provide assistance to vulnerable community members by caring for their animals free of charge
- To have a plan in place in case of an emergency
- Address the overpopulation of unwanted cats and dogs while minimising
euthanasia rates.
Next Steps
Council will review the feedback and also consider submissions at the 10 October Planning and Consultation Committee meeting, where submitters will also be able to make verbal statements.
To register to speak at the Planning and Consultation Committee meeting click here
What we heard
During May and June we asked community for feedback on a range of animal related issues and topics.
We heard from over 850 people and this feedback has been used to develop our draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25.
The ten (10) most common community issues identified through the survey were as followed.
- Dog owners not picking up excrement after their pets.
- Dogs off leash when in on-leash areas.
- Cats outside of property at night time after curfew.
- Dogs with owners far away/absent in parks and reserves.
- Dogs barking for long periods of time.
- Cats preying on wildlife.
- Cats causing a nuisance to resident’s properties.
- Cats that appear unowned.
- Residents unaware of services the Community Safety Department provides to the community, such as where the pet registration funds are spent each year and the cat trapping program.
- Residents unaware of how to find on and off-leash areas in their community.
You can read about these findings in the DAMP consultation findings report.
Privacy Collection Notice:
Nillumbik Shire Council is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating effective community engagement in relation to the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025.
The full content of a personal submission including any name/s is a public record and may be made available for public inspection and included in Council business papers. Contact information will be redacted. Names will not be redacted unless anonymity is expressly requested and confidentiality granted to a submission.
The full content of a submission made on behalf of an organisation in relation to Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025, including the name of the organisation is a public record and may be made available for public inspection and included in Council business papers.
Not providing the mandatory information will mean that your submission cannot be accepted.
You have the right to access and correct your personal information. Enquiries for access should be made to the Privacy Officer 9433 3271, privacy@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or PO Box 476, Greensborough Vic 3088.
