Baw Baw Shire Council has adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan that outlines programs and policies to assist with managing domestic animal matters within the Shire.
The adopted Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25 seeks to promote and encourage responsible pet ownership amongst the community and ensure our natural environment and the welfare of dogs and cats remain protected.
Some of the key topics covered in the Plan include:
- Promoting and encouraging responsible pet ownership.
- Minimising the risk of dog attacks in the community.
- Addressing overpopulation and euthanasia rates for dogs and cats.
- Encouraging the registration and identification of dogs and cats.
- Effectively identifying and managing all declared dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs kept within the municipality.
The Plan was prepared in line with Animal Welfare Victoria guidelines along with key stakeholder input and clearly outlines the needs and expectations of pet owners and the broader community to ensure people and pets can live safely and happily together within the Shire.
Prior to its adoption, the Plan was presented for public feedback from 9 September to 8 October 2021. Throughout the consultation period, Council received 16 individual submissions relating to several matters including off leash parks, wandering cats, animal registration and more.
Based on the feedback received, Council was pleased to note all key themes identified by the community had been considered and addressed by the plan.
The Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25 will commence on 4 December 2021.
The adopted Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-25 can be found in the A – Z Policies and Documents section of Council’s website.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss
“This Plan is all about how our animals and wider community can co-exist in our living environment and the ways in which Council can promote responsible pet ownership. It was really important to hear directly from our community on this, and I thank everyone for their submissions and input. After being presented the community feedback, it was great to see how the key themes identified directly align with the topics covered in Plan.”
Quote attributable to Cr Tricia Jones
“Firstly, I thank all the people who took the time to submit a response on the Domestic Animal Management Plan. Not only does our Shire require a clear management plan for domestic pets but it is also important that our community clearly understands the Plan and how it may affect them.
For many of us, responsible pet management is a matter than we can all take ownership of, for the benefit of our wider community and other pet owners”.
Quote attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“I thank everyone for their participation on the Domestic Animal Management Plan. Some of the feedback received related to matters of off leash dogs, wandering cats, community safety and general animal welfare and education. Overall its pleasing to note these key matters were already identified and covered within the Plan.
From this consultation it is clear our community love their pets and understand the positive contribution they have on our wider community.”
