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All dog owners have a responsibility to ensure they follow a few simple rules, for the benefit of everyone in the community.
Dog registration and owner responsibilities
As a dog owner, you must ensure your dog is:
- Registered and microchipped (refer to Dog Registration)
- Wears a collar displaying the registration tag, dogs name, your address and contact number
- Confined to the premises at which it lives or is temporarily residing
- Under the control of a competent person
- Only exercised off its leash in designated areas and is under your verbal control (you must carry a leash).
How many dogs you can have
The Shire's Dogs Local Law permits two dogs per property, unless prior approval has been granted.
Requests for exemptions can only be approved by Council.
Barking dogs
The most common complaint against dogs is barking.
Under Section 38(2)(b) of the Dog Act 1976, a dog is a nuisance if it creates a noise, by barking or otherwise, which persistently occurs or continues to a degree or extent not normally habitual in dogs and has a disturbing effect on the state of reasonable physical, mental or social wellbeing of a person.
Issue with a barking dog in your neighbourhood?
Find out what to do if you have a barking dog complaint.
Dog exercise areas and restricted places
With some exceptions and in accordance with certain requirements, dogs can be exercised off leash within the Shire. These areas are not exclusively set aside for dogs. While off the leash, dogs must behave in a way that does not create a nuisance or threat to people and animals.
Where dogs are permitted/not permitted
Dogs are not permitted at:
- Lake Leschenaultia
- Mundaring or Wooroloo public cemeteries
- Shire owned or managed public buildings (unless otherwise approved by the Shire)
- Sculpture Park children's playground
- Within five metres (5m) of any play or exercise equipment areas
- The playing surface of sporting ovals during times of such use, maintenance or mowing.
View dog exercise areas.
Controlling your dog in a public place
Unless in an approved dog exercise area, dogs must always be on a leash.
You must be able to hold your dog without it pulling away from you and prevent it from rushing at people and other animals. The dog must be able to obey simple commands.
Substantial fines can be incurred by those who fail to control their dog properly in public.
Impounded dogs
By law, the Shire must keep a dog for 72 hours (if the dog has no way of identifying an owner ie. registration tag/microchip), and 7 days if the dog has an identified owner through registration and microchip details. If after this time the dog is not claimed it will be rehomed.
To release an impounded dog, the owner is required to pay an impounding fee and may be liable for fines if your dog has committed an offence.
Unregistered dogs will not be released until microchipped and registered.
For more information, refer to:
Dog attacks
A dog attack is a very serious offence. It includes a dog rushing aggressively at or attempting to attack a person or animal, as well as tearing clothing, biting or causing physical injury.
If your dog attacks a person or animal, you will be held responsible, even if you were not there at the time.
The dog owner, or person who had control of the dog at the time, is also liable for any injury or damage to property resulting from an attack.
For more information on how dog attacks are dealt with click here
To report a dog attack, please contact us.
Is your dog showing signs of being aggressive?
If your dog displays early warning signs of aggression, it is important to seek professional assistance.
Even though the breed may not be aggressive, it may be the individual dog.
Signs of aggression include:
- Your dog rushes out of the property, barking at anyone/anything that passes
- When walking your dog on a leash, it lunges at people or animals nearby
- Your dog growls, snaps, snarls or bites when it is near other people or animals.
Declared dangerous dogs
Dangerous dogs must wear a prescribed collar. Signs must also be posted on all entries to your property.
Penalties
An owner who fails to comply with a declaration order on their dog will be fined up to $4,000.
There are substantial penalties of up to $10,000 for a dog attack and $10,000 and/or 12 month jail for inciting a dog attack.
More information and contact
Please contact Ranger Services on (08) 9290 6629 or email shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au