Have say on pet laws

[bigdoglover]

Bayside Bulletin, Redland

REDLAND residents will soon be able to have their say on Redland Shire Council's controversial and much-talked about new draft animal control laws.
The six-week public consultation period for Local Law No. 2 (Keeping and Control of Animals) and its Subordinate Law is from June 20 to August 4, 2006.

Under the revised laws:

- Dogs in koala areas must be restrained at night.

- You cannot keep dogs in caravan parks (existing dogs will be allowed but new ones banned).

- You must carry a bag and remove any excrement when you take a dog into a public place.

- Cats must be identified with a collar and tag or microchip with the owner's name and address.

- Cats should be confined to their owner's property and not allowed to roam.

- You cannot keep a cat in the Ridgewood Downs Estate.


- There are limitations on the number of poultry and other birds you can keep.

- To keep horses, goats etc you need 4000sq m of free roaming space per animal.

- Three new beach areas where dogs can roam off-leash will be established.

Warnings and then fines will be issued for any breach of the laws detected.

Council says the new animal control laws aim to ensure pets do not harm koalas or other wildlife or create a public nuisance.

Under the new laws, dog owners on properties larger than 2000sq m in a Koala Management Area will have a choice to either confine their dogs to a fenced area no greater than 2000sq m at all times or to lock up the dog in an enclosure, such as a house, veranda, garage or shed between 7pm and 6am so a koala cannot enter.

Or at those times, they may choose to tie up the dog on a lead no longer than three metres.

For dog owners in koala management areas on fenced land smaller than 2000sq m, there will be no need for further confinement.

While people will not be allowed to keep dogs in caravan parks, an annual permit system will be introduced allowing a current keeper of a dog in a caravan park to keep an existing dog until they leave the caravan park or the animal dies.

While Council says cats must have a collar and tag or microchip, Council will not be sending out "cat police" door to door to enforce this.

Rather it will only send out officers whenever somebody complains about the cat.

If a cat is impounded, owners will need to show the cat is identified before it will be released.

Cats should not enter another person's property unless that person has given permission. They must be under effective control if taken into a public place.

The new beach off-leash dog areas to be established are:

- A section of beach in front of Raby Bay Foreshore Park.

- A section of Main Beach, Coochiemudlo Island.

- The beach in front of Lions Park on Russell Island.

Redland Mayor Don Seccombe said: "We encourage all residents and interest groups to make a submission, if you own a dog, a cat, horse or any other animal, this law will affect you. Make sure your voice is heard."

After June 20, you can read the draft laws after at www.redland.qld.gov.au or after June 20 visit one of the customer service centres in Cleveland and Capalaba, or a Council library or for information call 1300 665 660.

The Local Government Act requires all submissions to be in writing.

Even if you wish to express your views over the phone or in meetings with councillors or council officers you will still need to make a submission in writing.