Hobart City Council places emphasis on the prompt and efficient handling of animal complaints or requests for help. Our aim is to provide a quality service and satisfactory resolution where possible.
Requests for assistance can be made by:
· Telephoning the Animal Control Section on (03)62 382 182;
· In person at the Customer Service Centre, 16 Elizabeth Street Hobart;
· In writing to the General Manager, Hobart City Council GPO Box 503 Hobart 7001
· Email to hcc@hobartcity.com.au.
There are various types of requests that the Animal Control Section deals with. Some of these include but are not limited to:
All dogs must be on a lead when walking on a road related area. The Dog Control Act 2000 defines a road-related area as:
Please ensure that your yard is secure - it is an offence for your dog to be at large.
Dogs roaming is an issue which Council takes very seriously. The mere sight of a dog at large can be quite intimidating to most people. In accordance with Section 16 (1) of the Dog Control Act 2000 it is the dog owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog is not at large. Failure to do so can result in an infringement notice being issued.
If you have a problem with dogs roaming in your residential area you con contact Council as described above.
Dog barking can at times pose quite a problem in all areas, from built-up residential to rural settings . It is the responsibility of the dog owner to ensure that their dog gets plenty of stimulation and exercise to assist in dealing with this issue.
There are several stages involved when dealing with barking complaints, they are:
A letter is sent to the dog owner which sets out the details as to when the barking is occurring, measures that can be put in place to remedy the situation, the legal responsibilities of the dog owner as they relate to the Dog Control Act 2000 and the penalties involved for non compliance.
An Animal Control Officer will visit the dog owner to discuss the issues. The officer in the course of his/her duties may discuss various methods to overcome the problem, such as anti barking collars and dog behavioural training.
This is the final stage. If there has been no improvement following the previous stages a formal complaint is required to be lodged by the complainant. This is to be on an approved form accompanied with the prescribed fee. Once this has been submitted, the Council will formally investigate the situation. This process takes approximately 30 days, at the end of which it is decided if any penalties will be imposed for nuisance barking.
For more information on barking dogs and how to help solve the barking problem please <click here>.
A dog attack is an extremely traumatic event whether it is a person or another animal that is attacked. In accordance with Section 19(1) of the Dog Control Act 2000 if a dog attacks or chases any person the owner of the dog is guilty of an offence. Likewise in accordance with Section 19(2) of the Dog Control Act 2000 if a dog attacks an animal the owner of the dog is guilty of an offence.
If you have been involved in an incident with an aggressive dog and wish to lodge a complaint regarding the matter, please contact Council as described above.
In accordance with Section 29 (1)A of the Dog Control Act 2000 any dog that has caused serious injury to a person or other animal may be declared a dangerous dog. While the Council retains the right to make the final decision.
The Council will consider all evidence before declaring the dog to be dangerous. The dog owner has the right in accordance with Section 31 of the Dog Control Act 2000 to appeal against the delclaration within 14 days of the notice being served.
As defined in the Dog Control Act 2000, all dogs used to guard non-residential premises will be immediately declared dangerous.
As a dog owner in the interest of public health and general cleanliness you are required to pick up your dog’s excrement. Failing to do so may result in an infringement notice being issued in accordance 45 (1) of the Dog Control Act 2000.
To assist dog owners, the Council supplies dog tidy bags in many dog exercise areas. A roll of 200 is also available for purchase from the Customer Service Centre, 16 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.
If you find or have lost a dog please notify the Council as soon as possible on (03) 62 382 182. Having the Council registration tag on your dog’s collar assist’s the officers in re-uniting a dog with its owner. Dog’s that do not have their registration tag on their collar are taken to the Dog's Home of Tasmania located at Risdon Vale.
