Council unleashes dog registration blitz

Council is cracking down on unregistered dogs after nearly 25 per cent of Sunshine Coast dog owners failed to re-register their pets this year.

As registration is compulsory under state government laws, council officers will be door-knocking in every suburb checking for unregistered dogs.

Owners of unregistered animals can face fines of up to $200.

Council’s Response Services Manager, Ron Thomas, said he was concerned by the number of owners who failed to re-register their pets this year.

“Out of around 35,000 previously registered dogs in 2009, more than 8,000 of those have not been re-registered this year,” Mr Thomas said.

“Dogs that are not registered cannot be easily identified if they are lost or stolen.

“It is council’s priority to reunite lost dogs with their owners, but we need dog owners to do their bit by keeping their dog’s registration up to date.

“Council endeavours to make registration as affordable as possible by offering lower fees to responsible owners who de-sex and microchip their dogs.”

Under the State Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, which came into effect in July 2009, all owners must register their dogs each year.

Council issues dog owners with a registration renewal notice each year. Despite sending a reminder in August last year, about one-quarter of Sunshine Coast dog owners have failed to re-register their pets so far. Anyone keeping an unregistered dog may be issued with a $200 on-the-spot fine.

Apart from identifying lost or impounded pets, dog registration also allows for better regulation of dangerous or menacing breeds.

A full list of information on registration and fees can be found on council’s website.