What’s biting you?
Dog owners who have a bone to pick with less responsible dog owners (especially those that live within barking distance) are being given the opportunity to share their views with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Residents who drop by council offices to pay their dog registration renewal fees (issued in the last fortnight) are being encouraged to take part in a survey on “responsible dog ownership” to provide the council’s animal control staff with a snapshot of public opinion on a range of dog-related issues.
“We are keen to find out what dog owners regard as the most important issues facing them as pet owners, as well as problems they may have encountered with other dog owners,” said CCRC Manager, Environmental Health, Geoff Wilson.
The survey is designed to obtain information on dog owners’ views regarding the desexing of animals, the use of leashes and methods to prevent dogs from roaming.
“We would like to know what dog owners think the council could do to help overcome problems such as roaming and/or aggressive dogs and unwanted litters of puppies,” Mr Wilson said.
“Research shows that de-sexed dogs are less likely to roam or engage in aggressive behaviour.”
The council’s animal registration fees structure for the next financial year (2009-2010) is currently being reviewed to provide greater incentives for responsible dog ownership. Owners of desexed dogs already receive a substantial discount.
“The results of this dog survey will help guide our decisions regarding any changes to the fee structure,” Mr Wilson said.
As the former Johnstone Shire previously administered a dog registration period from 1 October to 30 September, renewal fees this year for dog owners living in the former Johnstone Shire will be calculated on a nine-month pro rata basis (i.e. 75 percent of full fees).
Pensioners in the Cassowary Coast region are entitled to a 50-percent discount, while non-pensioners who pay within the first 28 days (i.e. before the end of March) will qualify for a $10 discount.
In future, the council’s dog registration period will run from 1 July – 30 June.
CCRC Survey – Responsible Dog Ownership
Completed and saved surveys can be sent to to Council via the contact form below. Just remember when you have completed the form to save it to your computer. Completed forms that have been saved as .pdf and are less than 300kb in size can be sent via the contact form.