Animal Control

Useful Documents

Complaint as to a Nuisance created by a Dog

Dog Attack Complaint Statement Form

Senior Ranger

If your dog is lost, it is an easier task for rangers to locate the owner if the dog is registered. If an unregistered dog is impounded, the owner may incur a penalty in accordance with the Dog Act 1976, plus an impound fee for every day the dog is impounded. Registration of the dog will be required prior to its release from the pound.

The Senior Ranger may be contacted by the emailing cso@chapmanvalley.wa.gov.ay or phone during office hours on (08) 9920 5011 or 0428 948 073.

Barking Dogs

You are responsible for ensuring your dog is not a public nuisance by excessive barking. Severe penalties apply for breaches under the Dog Act (1976). Please consider the impact of your dog's behaviour on your neighbours.

Wandering Dogs

If your own a dog and it wanders away or escapes from your property, it may be impounded and you will have to pay a fee to collect it. If your dog causes damage, or injures a person or another animal, you can be made liable for this damage.

Murphy's Law will dictate that Council's Rangers are rarely around when dogs seem to wander. Anecdotal evidence states that these times seem to be early in the morning or at night when owners let their dogs out for a comfort break.

Without evidence, by way of a Complaint as to a Nuisance created by a Dog form signed and photographic evidence, it makes it very difficult to pursue the matter with the owner. The complainant must be prepared to appear in court or give evidence (if required) once a complaint is made.

In order the the Council to assist the community, we need your help in notifying us of the issues. Without a Complaint form, we can only rely on the Ranger services catching them in the act.

Complaint forms can be obtained from this page. 

Preventative measures to stop your dog from wandering or escaping

There are many factors that contribute to dogs feeling the need to escape or wander. One of the most common is boredom.

A bored dog will try and entertain itself, which can lead to undesirable behaviours such as trying to access the interesting world beyond their property.

Walk your dog regularly

  • During the walk allow your dog to sniff and explore the environment as much as possible, as sniffing is the most mentally exhausting activity a dog can do. Aim for one 30-45 minute sniffing walk per day.
  • Spend time with your dog.
  • Dogs are social creatures that have been bred to be companion animals. Most dogs require at least four hours with their human family per day to feel safe, secure and content. This time should include physical interactions (affection), play, training, and time being able to physically access their humans.

Enrich your dog's environment

Spending time in the same environment, with the same toys, same smells, same noises can be really boring.

  • Rotate your dogs toys by putting them away and bringing only two our per day

Dogs are natural scavengers and foragers. Feeding them from a food bowl is not only un-natural for them, it is also doesn't use any of their mental energy! So why not give your dog a job to do working for its food! Not only do they love it, it is also a great way to tire them out. 

  • Scatter dry food around the yard or hide it
  • Put wet food in a Kong toy and freeze it into an ice block in warm weather
  • Freeze a meal size portion of their dog roll and feed it to them as a big dog roll ice block

Although things like left over toilet roll holders, empty plastic pots, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, milk cartons/bottles etc all seem boring to us, that is not so with our dogs. Instead of tossing these in the recycling, give them to your dog to play with first.

Leave your dog inside the home when you go out

Many dogs find it far easier to relax when left inside as the distractions are far less and they feel more comfortable.

Before trialling leaving your dog inside, it's important to ensure that they are not able to access any areas or items where they may get into mischief. Begin by leaving them inside for a short trial period, then slowly increase the time they are left alone.

Sterilise your dog

Dogs may wander and attempt to escape to find a mate. Speak to your vet to discuss this option further. 

Please note the above is a guide only. If your dog continues to wander or escape, then other factors that contribute to this behaviour must be explored. If this is the case, please consult a Veterinary Behaviourist.

Fences

The problem in the western regions of the shire is that a number of lifestyle blocks contain the ‘ringlock’ style perimeter fencing which is not designed to keep dogs in or out. The size and activity level of your dog should determine the type of fence that you need to prevent your dog from escaping. The dog must not be able to jump or climb over, dig under or push through the fence.

For dogs that jump, try adding an inward sloping extension to the top of the fence or install a roller fence (sometimes known as Coyote Rollers). Alternatively, you can put up an additional low internal fence about a metre in from your boundary fence.

This stops the dog getting a ‘run-up’ at the fence or getting into position to jump up the fence.

If the dog is digging out, you may need to dig a trench around the bottom of the fence and fill it with concrete, bury a strip of chicken wire at the bottom of the fence or purchase an approved invisible pet fence/containment (collar) system.

Self-latching gates

Self-latching gates should be installed to prevent your dog from getting out accidentally.

Pen or compound

When fencing the whole yard is difficult, dogs may be kept in an enclosure. These should be big enough for the size of your dog, and should be built in a quiet, sheltered area. Do not build the pen or compound near your neighbours fence or a busy footpath.

A concrete base is better than dirt as it is easier to keep clean and prevents digging out. 

Dogs kept in an enclosure must be introduced to the confinement slowly, beginning with only short lengths of time in the confinement, then this time can be gradually increased. 

Tethering

Tethering your dog on a rope or chain is not recommended as the dog can easily get tangled. You must still have a proper fence even if your dog is tethered on a rope or chain.