An average of five dogs a day are being collected by Townsville City Council after escaping from their homes, highlighting an ongoing issue that is costing ratepayers and putting people and pets at risk.
In the last 12 months Council’s Animal Care and Adoption Centre has collected and housed almost 1800 loose dogs, with animal management officers regularly responding to reports of dogs roaming streets, parks and public spaces across the city.
Division 7 Councillor Kurt Rehbein said while most pet owners were doing the right thing, loose dogs continued to pose a growing problem across the city.
“Roaming dogs are a problem right across Townsville, which is why we’re reminding owners to be responsible and ensure their pets are secure at home and under control via a leash when they’re out in public,” Cr Rehbein said.
“Whether you’re walking along The Strand, taking the kids to a local park or exercising your own dog, you should be able to do so safely.
“It only takes one roaming dog to threaten another animal, cause traffic chaos or create a dangerous situation for residents.
“Every roaming dog requires a response from Council officers, whether that’s investigating reports, collecting animals or helping reunite them with their owners, and that places additional pressure on services funded by ratepayers.
“The simplest way to avoid that is to make sure fences and gates are secure, registration details are up to date and dogs are always under effective control when outside the home.”
Cr Rehbein said while some dogs escaped despite owners’ best efforts, Council continued to see too many preventable incidents.
“Of course, sometimes unforeseen situations happen and dogs can Houdini their way out of their homes unexpectedly,” he said.
“But the number of dogs coming through our Animal Care and Adoption Centre each year shows this isn’t just bad luck; too many dogs are escaping their properties and ending up on our streets.
“We also have significant issues with repeat offenders, where we are collecting the same dogs over and over – it is in these instances we have to take the enforcement approach and issue fines.”
To date in 2026, Council has issued 19 fines for dogs being off leash in public places, seven fines for wandering dogs and 90 fines relating to ineffective dog enclosures.
All dogs, including puppies that are 12 weeks and older must be registered within 14 days from acquisition or moving to Townsville, and wear a registration tag.
Registration renewals are mailed out in June of each year, with annual registrations needing to be renewed by June 30 each year.
For new registrations, registration renewals, reciprocal registrations or to update your dog’s details, visit our Animal Registration Payments page.
