Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013 – 2017/media/Files/Local Laws/Animals/DAM Plan... · Web viewWord accessibility. ... Ensure that Council’s animal pound contractor has in

Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013 – 2017

Legislative Context 2

Introduction 4

Moonee Valley at a glance 4

Domestic animal statistics 5

Department overview 6

Our Key Actions 7

1 Officer Training and Development 7

2 Identification and Registration 10

3 Encouraging Responsible Pet Ownership 12

4 Dog Attacks 15

5 Dangerous, Menacing and Restricted Breed Dogs 17

6 Overpopulation and High Euthanasia 19

7 Domestic Animal Businesses 21

8 Annual Review of Plan and Annual Reporting 23

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Legislative Context

Domestic Animal Management Plans

Section 68A of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, states the following with regards to domestic animal management plans:

68A Councils to prepare domestic animal management plans

(1) Every Council must, in consultation with the Secretary (of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries), prepare at 4 year intervals a domestic animal management plan.

(2) A domestic animal management plan prepared by a Council must—

(a) set out a method for evaluating whether the animal control services provided by the Council in its municipal district are adequate to give effect to the requirements of this Act and the regulations; and

(b) outline programs for the training of authorised officers to ensure that they can properly administer and enforce the requirements of this Act in the Council's municipal district; and

(c) outline programs, services and strategies which the Council intends to pursue in its municipal district—

(i) to promote and encourage the responsible ownership of dogs and cats; and

(ii) to ensure that people comply with this Act, the regulations and any related legislation; and

(iii) to minimise the risk of attacks by dogs on people and animals; and

(iv) to address any over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats; and

(v) to encourage the registration and identification of dogs and cats; and

(vi) to minimise the potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance; and

(vii) to effectively identify all dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs in that district and to ensure that those dogs are kept in compliance with this Act and the regulations; and

(d) provide for the review of existing orders made under this Act and local laws that relate to the Council's municipal district with a view to determining whether further orders or local laws dealing with the management of dogs and cats in the municipal district are desirable; and

(e) provide for the review of any other matters related to the management of dogs and cats in the Council's municipal district that it thinks necessary; and

(f) provide for the periodic evaluation of any program, service, strategy or review outlined under the plan.

(3) Every Council must—

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(a) review its domestic animal management plan annually and, if appropriate, amend the plan; and

(b) provide the Secretary with a copy of the plan and any amendments to the plan; and

(c) publish an evaluation of its implementation of the plan in its annual report.

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Introduction

As outlined, the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires all Victorian Councils to prepare a 4 (four) yearly Domestic Animal Management (DAM) Plan. The legislation stipulates the requirements that a DAM Plan must meet, as well as outlining the programs, services and strategies that Council intends to pursue in relation to domestic animal issues.

The primary focus of the Plan is the management of companion animals, namely dogs and cats, their owners and the concerns of the wider community while addressing a range of legislative issues relating to animal management within Moonee Valley.

It is well understood that animal management entails more than just the collection of animals. Animal management officers play an important role in promoting responsible pet ownership throughout the municipality and to help promote a positive environment for domestic animals.

This plan is designed to improve the provision of animal management services by maintaining the traditional Local Government role while responding to new and emerging animal management issues.

Moonee Valley at a glance

The City of Moonee Valley is located in Melbourne’s north-west suburbs covering 43 square kilometres, located between four and thirteen kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.

Around 113,500 residents or 45,000 households call Moonee Valley home. The community is culturally and linguistically diverse, with more than a quarter of the population born overseas.

The City of Moonee Valley includes the suburbs of Aberfeldie, Airport West, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Flemington, Keilor East, Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and Travancore. The municipality has a varied range of residential lot sizes and residential density, including a high concentration of flats and units.

Moonee Valley has 1,987,049 square metres of open space which incorporates 166 parks, gardens and reserves; and waterways that link major parks and open spaces across the City.

Moonee Valley’s open spaces are used by all members of the community, including both pet owners and non pet owners, for shared activities. There are nine parks within the Municipality that are designated ‘off leash’ areas where dogs are able to play and exercise with the owner’s supervision without a leash. These areas have been specifically chosen for a number of reasons including location, facilities and environmental significance. Some of these open spaces are also specifically utilised as areas for dog training sessions.

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Domestic animal statisticsA comparative analysis of the key animal management statistics taken at the start and at the end of our last DAM plan is provided in the tables below:

Dogs 2009 2012

Number of registered dogs 8,468 10,356

Number of registered dangerous dogs 6 4

Number of registered guard dogs 6 4

Number of registered restricted breed dogs 1 2

Number of registered menacing dogs 1 4

Number of dogs impounded 447 419

Number of dogs impounded that are returned to owner

229 299

Number of dogs rehoused to a new home 41 53

Number of dogs euthanised 77 42

Cats 2009 2012

Number of registered cats 3,672 3,776

Number of cats impounded 459 426

Number of cats impounded that are returned to owner

19 28

Number of cats euthanised 424 361

Number cats rehoused 16 18

Request for Service/complaints 2009 2012

Dog – attack, rush or bite 50 105

Dog – barking 182 215

Dog – soiling 15 14

Dog – at large 179 419

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Dogs seized by Council (a result of an attack or dangerous nature)

2 11

Animal (dog and cat) pick ups carried out by the Lost Dogs Home (after 4pm)

627 445

Animal nuisances 38 19

Infringements 131 473

Registered domestic animal businesses 2009 2012

Pet shops 0 3

Day care Centres 0 1

Department overview

A vertical slice of Council’s organisational structure, including the Local Laws (Animal Management) team is as follows, from top:

Chief Executive Director Corporate Services Manager Governance and Local Laws Coordinator and Local Laws Team Leader Local Laws Local Laws Administration Local Laws Animal Management Officer, Project Office Local Laws, Local Laws

Animal Officer

The Local Laws work team is a part of the Governance & Local Laws Department within the Corporate Services Group.

Council’s Local Laws team is overseen by a Coordinator (Parking Control & Local Laws), and comprises a Team Leader, and two full time Local Laws Officers (Animal Management Officers), a Local Laws Project Officer and a Local Laws Administration Officer.

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Our Key Actions

1 Officer Training and Development

Question What does the Domestic Animal Act 1994 stipulate?

Answer 68(A)(2)(b) Outline programs for the training of authorised officers to ensure that they can properly administer and enforce the requirements of this Act in the Council's municipal district

Objective to ensure that all staff involved in animal management has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively carry out their work.

Current Training:

Officers Description

Team Leader Workplace behavioursTrim training (electronic document management system)Investigations and enforcement workshopManaging difficult customers (level 2)Enforcement officer media trainingBusiness writing skillsInterpreting breed standards – DEPIAnimal handling – The Lost Dogs Home

Officer 1 Workplace behavioursTrim training (electronic document management system)Investigations and enforcement workshopManaging difficult customers (level 2)Enforcement officer media trainingBusiness writing skillsBreed Identification – DEPIAnimal handling – The Lost Dogs HomeCertificate IV in Government (Statutory Compliance)Certificate IV in animal control and regulation

Officer 2 Currently vacant

Project Officer Workplace behavioursTrim training (electronic document management system)Word accessibilityInvestigations and enforcement workshopManaging difficult customers (level 2)Enforcement officer media trainingBusiness writing skillsBreed Identification – DEPIAnimal handling – The Lost Dogs Home

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Officer Training and Development Proposed Program

1.1 Develop a training policy that clearly identifies minimum training requirements and any additional training needs that should be undertaken.

Activity When Evaluation

Identify minimum training requirements by consultation with management and staff.

October 2013

Documentation to be finalised and incorporated into approved Local Laws training register.

Identify additional training opportunities with accredited training organisations by consultation with management and staff.

November 2013

Documentation to be finalised and incorporated into approved Local Laws training register.

1.2 Develop and maintain a training register for individual officers detailing completed and proposed training by 2013.


Create a register to record completed and future proposed training.

October 2013

Review quarterly, to ensure accuracy and determine whether proposed training goals have been met.

1.3 Ensure all Authorised Officers have completed their minimum training requirements within 12 months of appointment.


Identify minimum training requirements (e.g. OH&S, animal handling) and update document to record when officers have completed each course.

Within 12 months of appointment

Quarterly, review register and ensure each officer has completed minimum training requirements within 12 months of appointment.

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1.4 Offer at least 2 opportunities for additional internal training each year.


Identify additional training opportunities eg. prosecutions training, conflict management, communication/education technique.

Annually The number of training sessions offered, and the actual number undertaken by officers.

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2 Identification and Registration

Question: What does the Domestic Animal Act 1994 stipulate?

Answer: 68A(2)(c)(v) Outline programs, services and strategies to encourage the registration and identification of dogs and cats

- also address 68A(2)(a),(c)(i),(c)(ii),(d),(f)

Objective: to ensure that Council is promoting and encouraging the registration and identification of domestic animals.

What does Council have in place?

General Purposes Local LawClause 51 of Council’s General Purposes Local Law 2008 deals with the keeping and housing of animals and specifics the maximum number of dogs or cats allowed on a property or in a flat.

Council Policies and Procedures Registration fees are determined by Council during its annual budget process. Seizure and impounding of unregistered and/or unidentified dogs and cats. Enforcement protocols associated with issuing notices to comply, infringement

notices and filing charges for prosecution regarding breaches of the Act.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Ongoing campaign utilising various media outlets. Provide de-sexing vouchers to low income residents. Promotion of responsible pet ownership through annual microchipping day, park

patrols and public engagement at Council festivals and community events.

Current Compliance Activities Issue reminder notices; follow up phone calls; conduct property visits and then

initiate prosecution action against non compliant owners. Issue Notice to Comply to owners with unregistered animals. Check all injured and deceased animals for registration tag or microchip to be

able to inform animal owner.

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Identification and Registration Proposed Program2.1 Update the council registration database by cross-referencing with pet shop dog and cat sales notifications data.


Check the registration details of all notifications of dogs and cats sold at pet shops and follow up those that aren’t registered.

Quarterly Create and utilise the animal sales database to perform a check to ensure that dogs and cats being sold to Moonee Valley residents are being registered with Council.

2.2 Increase dog and cat registration numbers each year.


Targeted door knocking of non-renewed pets each year.

No later than July, annually

Cross reference animal registration number pre and post door knock.

Investigate the possibility of enhancing online payment options.

January 2014

Liaise with external suppliers and internal departments for feasibility and cost effectiveness.

Investigate the possibility of an electronic renewal process for animal owners that elect to receive non paper renewals and notifications.

December 2014


2.3 Monitor and regulate excess animal permits.


Create and maintain a database to record all excess animal permits issued.

October 2013

Annually

Satisfactory completion.

Undertake annual audit to verify total permits issued.

2.4 Conduct a feasibility study on the merits of lifetime tags.


Investigate the merits or otherwise of introducing lifetime tags for dogs and cats.

October 2014


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3 Encouraging Responsible Pet Ownership


Answer: 68A(2)(c)(vi) Outline programs, services and strategies to minimise the potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance

- also addresses 68A(2)(a),(c)(i),(c)(ii),(d),(f)

Objective: to ensure that Council is minimising the incidents of nuisances involving domestic animals.


Cat CurfewCouncil has introduced a Cat curfew that requires all cats to be kept on their property between sunset and sunrise.

General Purposes Local LawClauses 51, 54 and 55 of Council’s General Purposes Local Law 2008 deal with the keeping of animals; animal excrement and noise respectively.

Council Policies and Procedures Council offers a free cat trapping program. Operational procedures to assist officers in dealing with animal nuisance

complaints.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Council educates and enforces people not picking up after their dog through our

park patrols and resident feedback. Various communication methods are used to educate residents and visitors

such as: attendance at community events; distribution of information kits and advertising on Council website, community billboards, local paper and Valley View.

Our current Compliance Activities Patrolling parks and streets to ensure dog owners are carrying litter devices. Issue Notice to Comply and infringements where necessary. Investigate nuisance complaints adhering to set timeframes. Encourage the use of de-sexing vouchers to reduce the number of stray cats.

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Encouraging Responsible Pet Ownership Proposed Program3.1 Improve and update information regarding nuisance issues.


Encourage residents to report animal nuisances (including feral strays) to enable Council to assist in resolving complaints and improve the general amenity.

Ongoing The number of complaints received.

Review Council website and social media for effective ways of connecting with animal owners.

Bi-annually The number of times that relevant pages on Council website were visited.

Assist residents in dealing with cat trespass / nuisance problems by purchasing additional cat cages, to better meet community demand.

October 2013

The number of cats impounded.

Investigate new and effective options for disposal of animal excrement.

December 2013

Report for Council consideration.

3.2 Decrease the timeframe of nuisance investigations from point of lodgement to resolution.


Review barking dog investigation

procedure and effect changes to facilitate timely resolutions and encourage neighbourhood cooperation prior to Council involvement.

December

2013

The average number of days taken, to resolve barking dog complaints.

The implementation of a new barking dog procedure.

3.3 Promote responsible pet ownership service available.


Make information kit covering all aspects of being a responsible pet owner readily available to residents, pet shops and breeders.

October 2013

The number of information kits distributed.

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Investigate new and effective options to assist those residents who are unable to temporarily care for their animal.

December 2013

Implementation of a viable and effective service model.

Investigate the possible introduction of a dog only park.

December 2014

Consultation with public and relevant Council departments.

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4 Dog Attacks


Answer: 68A(2)(c)(iii) Outline programs, services and strategies to minimise the risk of attacks by dogs on people and animals


Objective: to ensure that Council is minimising the risk of attacks by dogs on individuals and other animals.


Council OrderCouncil created an Order under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, (effective from 1 July 2011) directing that dogs must be under effective control in certain locations.

General Purposes Local LawClause 51 of Council’s General Purposes Local Law 2008 deals with the number of dogs and cats allowed on a property.

Council Policies and Procedures Seize dogs involved in serious attacks. Housing requirements and increased registration fees for dogs declared

dangerous/menacing.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Patrolling. Use of educational signage in shared open space. Promote responsible pet ownership at community events such as festivals,

resident meetings, groups and schools visits. Educate owners whose dogs have behavioural issues.

Our current Compliance Activities Accurately record and maintain records of all dog attacks. Actively prosecute owners of dogs involved in serious attacks on people or

animals. Issue infringements, Declarations and Notices to Comply. Enforce and promote on leash requirements under Council’s Order. Distribute educational material to promote responsible pet ownership including

interactions with dogs in and around the home.

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Dog Attacks Proposed Program

4.1 Improve awareness of safety around dogs to help minimise number of dog attacks.


Targeted education campaigns in areas where high numbers of dog attacks have been recorded.

Ongoing The number of dog attacks reported.

4.2 Improve reporting of rushes and dog attacks.


Improve information on the website and brochures for reporting dog rushes and attacks.

July 2014 The number of dog rushes and attacks reported.

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5 Dangerous, Menacing and Restricted Breed Dogs


Answer: 68A(2)(c)(vii) Outline programs, services and strategies to effectively identify all dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs in that district and to ensure that those dogs are kept in compliance with this Act and the regulations


Objective: to ensure that Council has strategies, programs and services to identify and ensure compliance by dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs.


Council Policies and Procedures Process for updating registration database to ensure correct identification of

dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs. Process associated in declaring a dog dangerous or menacing. Procedure for identifying restricted breed dogs. Procedure associated with recording details of dangerous dogs on the Victorian

Declared Dog Registry.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Providing education and compliance information to owners of declared dogs

(housing and legal requirements). Advertisement of the Dangerous Dog Hotline 1300101080.

Our current Compliance Activities Annual inspections of all registered declared dogs. Photographs of dogs taken at time of inspection to confirm identity and update

registration. Record all Department of Primary Industries notifications of suspected restricted

breed dogs on database. Maintain registration details of all declared dogs and ensure microchip details

are held. Seize all suspected restricted breed dogs. Dog declarations made where applicable.

Dangerous, Menacing and Restricted Breed Dogs Proposed Program

5.1 Ensure owners of declared dogs comply with relevant legislation and Regulations.

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Undertake annual property inspections of declared dogs.

Annually Compliance with regulations met.

Maintain register of all breaches detected during inspection and undertake prosecutions where applicable.

Annually Cross reference register with prosecution notification to ensure all matters are accurately recorded.

Create auditing procedure to assist in managing the inspection of dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs.

February 2014

Ensure inspections meet legislative requirements.

5.2 Investigate and identify suspected unregistered Restricted Breed Dogs.


Conduct regular audit on identified incorrectly registered dogs, unregistered restricted dangerous and menacing breed dogs.

Annually The number of unregistered restricted breed dogs identified and seized.

The number of matters referred to VCAT.

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6 Overpopulation and High Euthanasia


Answer: 68A(2)(c)(iv) Outline programs, services and strategies to address any over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats


Objective: to ensure that Council has strategies, programs and services to address any over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats.


Council OrderCouncil has introduced a Cat curfew that requires all cats to be kept on their property between sunset and sunrise.

General Purposes Local LawClause 51 of Council’s General Purposes Local Law 2008 deals with the keeping and housing of animals and specifies the maximum number of dogs and cats.

Council Policies and Procedures Process in place for the impoundment of stray animals. Cat trapping program.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Promotion and education of Council’s Cat Curfew Order. Promotion of de-sexing voucher scheme. Reduced registration for animals registered before the age of 3 months. Information booths for public education including promotion of “Who’s for cats

campaign”. Attendance at Council festivals to promote responsible pet ownership. Ensure that Council’s animal pound contractor has in place a dog and cat re-

homing/adoption program to assist in the reduction of euthanasia rates. Educational signage in areas where stray/feral nuisance complaints are high.

Our current Compliance Activities Investigate all reported cases of animal hoarding. Investigate any suspected backyard breeders. Provide cat traps free of charge.

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Overpopulation and High Euthanasia Proposed Program

6.1 Promote de-sexing of animals.


Promotion of AVA/MAV de-sexing voucher scheme.

Ongoing The number of vouchers issued.

The number of de-sexed animals.

6.2 Promote adoption of stray and unwanted pets.


Investigate the possibility of offering free first year registration for animals adopted from shelters and pounds.

February 2014

Budget paper prepared for consideration of initiative, if deemed appropriate.

Promote the adoption programs of the Cat Protection Society, Lost Dogs Home and the RSPCA.

Ongoing The number of stray and unwanted pets adopted via identified adoption programs.

6.3 Promote reduction of euthanasia rates.


Council to continue to seek a reduction of euthanasia rates with the Lost Dogs Home

Ongoing The number of euthanised animals reported to council

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7 Domestic Animal Businesses


Answer: 68A(2)(c)(ii) Outline programs, services and strategies which the Council intends to pursue in its municipal district to ensure that people comply with this Act, the regulations and any related legislation

- also addresses 68A(2)(a),(c)(i),(d),(f)

Objective: to ensure that Council has strategies, programs and services to address any domestic animal businesses.


General Purposes Local LawsClause 51 of Council’s General Purposes Local Law 2008 deals with the keeping and housing of animals and specifies the maximum number of dogs and cats.

Council Policies and Procedures Domestic Animal Businesses (DAB) must be registered. Process for registering new businesses. Procedure associated with annual inspections and OH&S Standards.

Our current Education/Promotion Activities Invite DABs to be involved in Council’s animal related community events. Update businesses with relevant DAB information.

Our current Compliance Activities Annual audits. Monitoring advertising sites. Inspection of multiple animal registrations. Comparison between previous year’s registration totals and renewals. Infringements issued to non compliant businesses.

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Domestic Animal Businesses Proposed Program

7.1 Identify and register all Domestic Animal Businesses in the municipality.


Identify and inspect all businesses that should be registered DABs in the municipality.

Bi-annual The number of non-registered DABs.

7.2 Promote Domestic Animal Business requirements.


Update website with relevant information (code of practice, forms, legislative amendments etc).

February 2014

Increase in compliance of audited businesses.

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8 Annual Review of Plan and Annual Reporting


Answer: 68A(3) Every Council must—

(a) review its domestic animal management plan annually and, if appropriate, amend the plan

(b) provide the Department of Primary Industries’ Secretary with a copy of the plan and any amendments to the plan

(c) publish an evaluation of its implementation of the plan in its annual report.

Objective: to ensure that Council reviews its DAM plan on an annual basis and provides appropriate reporting in its Annual Report.

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Documents

Domestic Animal Management Plan 2013 – 2017/media/Files/Local Laws/Animals/DAM Plan... · Web viewWord accessibility. ... Ensure that Council’s animal pound contractor has in