ANIMAL CONTROL
- Dog Control Legislation
- Dog Management Policy 2014-2019 & Declared Areas
- Fenced Dog Exercise Parks
- Dog Registrations
- Kennel Licensing
- Dealing with a Barking Dog
- Cat Management - Domestic Cats / Stray Cats
- Cat Management - Feral Cats
- What to do with Injured Wildlife
- Snake Removal / Relocation
- Living with Snakes
- European Rabbits
- Deer Farming
Declared areas have been agreed to by Council and other public land managers throughout the Municipality. The maps below show the locations where dogs are allowed off-lead, on-lead or are prohibited at different times throughout the year for the various places. Responsible dog management will ensure that these areas are enjoyed by everyone.
In certain public areas your dog must be on a lead at all times these include Pedestrian Walking Tracks, Roads, Footpaths and Cycleways.
Unfortunately, non-compliance will lead to infringements being issued which is not our desired outcome.
Dog Management Policy 2014-2019
Cressy, Spiky, Kelvedon & Mayfield Beaches
Little Swanport / Boltons Beach
Spring Bay, Triabunna, Barton Avenue
Fenced Dog Exercise Parks
There are fenced Dog Exercise Parks at the following locations:
- Buckland Cricket Club Ground, 1 East Street, Buckland;
- Orford Recreation Ground, 31 Rheban Road, Orford;
- Triabunna Recreation Ground, 51 Charles Street, Triabunna;
- Swansea Esplanade, Swansea (Esplanade side of Golf Course);
- Swanwick Recreation Ground, 192 Hazards View Drive, Coles Bay.
These dog exercise parks have been provided for dogs to be exercised off-lead, within the specified fenced areas, conditions of entry as sign posted must be complied with at all times.
Dog owners are required to pick up their dog’s faeces at all times.
Fenced Dog Exercise Parks
There are fenced Dog Exercise Parks at the following locations:
- Buckland Cricket Club Ground, 1 East Street, Buckland;
- Orford Recreation Ground, 31 Rheban Road, Orford;
- Triabunna Recreation Ground, 51 Charles Street, Triabunna;
- Swansea Esplanade, Swansea (Esplanade side of Golf Course);
- Swanwick Recreation Ground, 192 Hazards View Drive, Coles Bay.
These dog exercise parks have been provided for dogs to be exercised off-lead, within the specified fenced areas, conditions of entry as sign posted must be complied with at all times.
Dog owners are required to pick up their dog’s faeces at all times.
Dog Registrations
A dog that is over the age of 6 months must be registered.
Dogs which are already registered must re-apply by June 30 each year. You should receive a pre-filled registration application form every May/June in the mail, if you do not receive one, please contact Council.
Please complete any missing details and return this form to the Council.
To register a new dog, please download and complete Dog-Registration-Application 2024-2025 (Alternatively, you can collect a form from Council’s office, 9 Melbourne Street, Triabunna.
Dog Management Fees
- Non-Desexed Dog (before 30/06/2024) per animal $47
- Non-Desexed Dog (after 30/06/2024) per animal $65
- Desexed dog (before 30/06/2024) per animal $29
- Desexed dog (after 30/06/2024) per animal $42
- Working dogs (before 30/06/2024) per animal $24
- Working dogs (after 30/06/2024) per animal $42
- Dog owned by a pensioner (one desexed dog only) (before 30/06/2024) per animal $12
- Dog owned by a pensioner (one desexed dog only) (after 30/06/2024) per animal $25
- Declared dangerous dog & Restricted Breeds (before 30/06/2024) per animal $531
- Declared dangerous dog & Restricted Breeds (after 30/06/2024) per animal $531
- Registered guide dog/assistance dog per animal FREE
- Replacement tag per tag $9
- Release of dog from pound 1st offence per release $48
- Release of dog from pound 2nd and subsequent offences per release $179
- Daily maintenance charge whilst impounded per day $48
- Dog Nuisance Complaint Fee (refundable upon confirmation) per complaint $52
- Kennel Licence – New per licence $141
- Kennel Licence – Renewal per licence $4
Keeping several dogs
A person, without a licence, must not keep or allow to be kept, for any period of time, on any premises –
more than 2 dogs, other than working dogs, over the age of 6 months; or
more than 4 working dogs over the age of 6 months.
Barking Dogs
If you are experiencing barking dogs in your neighbourhood, there are things you can do. Dogs bark for many reasons, but too much barking is not normal and is both unhealthy for the dog and difficult for neighbours and nearby residents.
A dog is considered a ‘nuisance’ under Division 6 – Nuisances of the Dog Control Act 2000 if it’s barking “interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any premises or public place”.
If a dog causes a nuisance, the owner may be infringed.
Understanding why a dog is barking and what you can do to help it may prevent your dog creating unease among other residents, or complaints being made about your dog.
Making a Complaint
A person may make a complaint to the General Manager in respect of a dog that is a nuisance.
A complaint is to –
- be in an approved form; and
- be accompanied by any appropriate fee; and
- state the nature of the nuisance.
On receipt of a complaint, the General Manager is to investigate the subject matter of the complaint.
If the General Manager considers that the complaint has substance, the General Manager –
- may institute proceedings for an offence under section 46 of the Dog Control Act 2000; and
- is to refund the fee that accompanied the complaint to the complainant.
Cat Management – Domestic Cats / Stray Cats
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Council is not adequately resourced to assist with on-ground Cat issues within our Municipality.
Council staff cannot assist with cat trapping of any kind nor are we able to assist with the transportation of cats to a Cat Management Facility, this is the sole responsibility of those who engage in cat trapping.
Please be aware that it is prohibited to seek or undertake the humane destruction of any cat unless you are a Primary Producer and in accordance with S.17A of the Cat Management Act 2009.
Please read TassiCat’s Guidelines for trapping a cat in urban and peri-urban areas if you are considering trapping a cat.
Prior to the commencement of any trapping, you must contact your closest Cat Management Facility to make the appropriate arrangements for surrendering Cats & Kittens.
There are three registered Cat Management Facilities in Tasmania
RSPCA Tasmania
Phone: 6709 8100
https://www.rspcatas.org.au/contact
Ten Lives
12 Selfs Point Rd, Newtown
Phone: 6278 2111
https://tenlives.com.au/welfare/trapping-cats/
Just Cats Tasmania
20 Cavalry Rd, Mowbray
Phone: 6388 9202
https://www.justcats.org.au/trapping-cats
Cat management facilities are a key community resource to manage unwanted and stray cats
What services do cat management facilities offer?
- Surrender of unwanted or stray cats
- Assistance with the return of microchipped cats to their owners
- Adoption or re-homing of cats and kittens
- Desexing, microchipping, and veterinary services for adopted cats
- Cat management facilities may also receive surrendered cats from people controlling cats on their private land.
TassieCat
TassieCat was established in July 2018 through funding from the Tasmanian Government. It is a state-wide joint initiative to promote and facilitate responsible cat ownership in the Tasmanian community through partnerships with local government and key stakeholders.
TassieCat encourages all Tasmanians to become responsible cat owners. They provide expert advice and useful resources to help you keep your cat safe, healthy and happy while protecting our wildlife and our communities.
Further information relating to Responsible Cat Management in Tasmania is also available on the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) website
https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/responsible-cat-ownership
Legislation
To access the Cat Management Act 2009
https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-089
Cat Management – Feral Cats
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Council is not adequately resourced to assist with on-ground Feral Cat issues within our Municipality.
Council staff cannot assist with cat trapping of any kind nor are we able to assist with the transportation of cats to a Cat Management Facility, this is the sole responsibility of those who engage in cat trapping.
Please be aware that it is prohibited to seek or undertake the humane destruction of any cat unless you are a Primary Producer and in accordance with S.17A of the Cat Management Act 2009.
For advice on Feral Cat Management in Tasmania, contact the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania’s, Invasive Species Branch on 03 6165 3777, or visit their website at:
https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/invasive-animals/invasive-mammals/feral-cats
What to do with Injured Wildlife
The Wldlife Management Branch of NRE
manage the Injured and Orphaned native wildlife program
Wildlife Services
GPO Box 44
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6165 4305
Email: Wildlife.Services@nre.tas.gov.au
If you are aware of any injured or orphaned native wildlife please contact the team on (03) 6165 4305
https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/caring-for-wildlife/injured-and-orphaned-wildlife
Bonorong Wildlife Rescue is a privately run, volunteer-based rescue service operating Tasmania-wide
Contact Bonorong Wildlife Rescue on 0447 264 625 (all hours)
- Keep the animal is a warm, dark and quiet place
- Do not feed it anything (this can do more harm than good)
- Keep handling to a minimum
- Keep away from people and domestic animals
If there is an animal that appears to be seriously injured or compromised, it is appropriate to seek urgent medical attention from the nearest Veterinary practice that will accept wildlife (some do not). In these circumstances, it may mean that the animal is euthanised to prevent further pain and suffering.
Snake Removal / Relocation
In the event you have any visiting snakes requiring removal and relocation please phone:
Chris Daly
Reptile Rescue Incorporated
0499 116 690
A minimum $50.00 fee will apply to cover volunteers costs for travel, equipment and training.
In the event of snakebite, immediately apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the bitten limb and call 000. Monitor the patient, keep the patient calm and still, and apply CPR and treat for shock if or where appropriate.
The very thought of snakes fill some people with terror, whilst others are fascinated by these enigmatic creatures. Through the ages, humanity has been obsessed by snakes in myths, legends and superstitions. For example the northern Australian Aboriginal people believe that the creator of life was a giant snake, the Rainbow Serpent, which caused lightning and storm.
Sadly, snakes have been endlessly persecuted because of fear and superstition. Australians have often been guilty of killing snakes for no reason other than fearing them. It may come as a surprise to learn that snakes are not habitually aggressive and venom is used primarily to secure food and not as a defence. Only in the breeding season may they become territorial. Where humans are concerned, snakes are actually shy animals preferring to move away and hide or lie still in the hope of being overlooked. Their natural camouflage generally makes them inconspicuous.
Fortunately, attitudes are beginning to change and people are learning to respect these marvellous reptiles. So, before you reach for a stick, calmly assess the risks. You may even begin to admire them – certainly you should respect them.
Roles and Values
Like other natural predators snakes are important in regulating populations of their prey. Without such predators, prey species tend to overpopulate, leading to starvation and disease.
- Because Australia has few diurnal mammalian predators, birds and reptiles are very important. In Tasmania we do not have large goannas and therefore snakes are the most important reptile predators.
- Snakes are an important food source for a number of other animals such as birds of prey.
- Snakes eat introduced rodents and birds.
Snakes have other values. Many people enjoy watching them. Some populations, because of their long-term isolation, are excellent subjects for the study of evolution and competition. Like all native species they have a right to exist. Tasmania’s snakes are protected by law in all state reserves.
Encountering Snakes
Snakes may be seen in the most surprising places (including cities) especially when water is in short supply. It is best to leave them alone or watch them from uphill. If they must be disturbed do it from a distance.
Although most will be just passing through, snakes do occasionally take up residence in suburban yards. During prolonged dry periods, they are attracted to gardens in search of water in rubbish, dog bowls, fishponds, swimming pools etc. Properties near scrubby creeks are especially prone to serpentine visits.
To minimise such presence in your garden keep:
- grass mown.
- garden debris to a minimum.
- wood heaps away from the house, and/or elevated 0.5 m above ground level.
- under the house well sealed or very clear and dry.
- standing water and wet spots to a minimum.
- seal cracks in concrete which may shelter lizards. Rockeries are a major attraction for lizards.
- have a well maintained paling fence.
If you like snakes and want to encourage them it is easy to create an attractive habitat.
Avoiding Bites
Snakes are naturally shy animals and their first form of defence is to move away from danger. Contrary to popular belief, they will not deliberately chase humans, but if provoked or cornered they may bluff or even attempt to bite. Most people who have been bitten were attempting to kill or handle a snake or have trodden on it – an attack from the snakes’ point of view. If you encounter a snake, the best thing to do is to let the snake go its own way.
To avoid being bitten you should:
- Step onto rather than over logs – a snake may be basking on the other side.
- Be alert at all times when in the bush, especially in the early morning during the warmer months when snakes are more likely to be sunning themselves but are slow to react. Wear shoes and trousers, instead of thongs and shorts.
- Avoid walking through long grass or reeds.
- Inspect hollow logs and rock crevices before putting a hand into them.
- Do not try to handle or kill a snake.
- Avoid snakes when sighted.
- If your pet cat catches and brings prey into your house, prevent this by attaching a bell or two to its collar – cats catch snakes.
Snake Bite
The venom is complex mixture of protein molecules containing neuro-toxins (nerve poisons). If enough is injected the nerves controlling the heart and lungs are adversely affected and death may result. Once in the body, poison of Tasmanian snakes flows through the lymphatic system (just under the skin), not the blood vessels. A tourniquet is not recommended.
The fangs of Tasmanian snakes are not particularly efficient so a lot of the poison is lost on the skin’s surface or on garments that the snake may have bitten through. Outside the body, the poison is harmless.
First Aid
One of the early symptoms of Tiger Snake bite is a massive frontal headache.
-
- Stay calm! Fear often leads to shock which makes the situation more dangerous. Reassure the victim at all times. The chances of death are very small. Record information on allergies and medications of the patient. There is always a chance of unconsciousness. Record pulse rate.
- Seek medical help. Call 000 immediately.
- Bandage the bitten area immediately with a broad, firm bandage, preferably elastic based (e.g. a sports bandage), and cover as much of the surrounding area or limb as possible and leave it covered. Bites are usually on a limb so bandage the whole limb starting from the extremity and working up the limb. Do not remove the bandage. A tourniquet is not recommended.
- Immobilise the bitten area immediately – if the bite is on a limb, secure with a splint.
- Bring transport to the victim, if possible, for transfer to medical care.
- Treat the symptoms, give Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation if necessary.
- DO NOT cut the bitten area.
- Snake identification is not necessary in Tasmania as all our native snake bites are treated with the same anti-venom (the same may not apply if you are bitten by a snake someone has brought into the state).
European Rabbits
For advice on controlling rabbit populations in Tasmania contact Biosecurity Tasmania 03 6165 3777
Or visit their website European Rabbits | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au)