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Dungog Shire Council is reminding pet owners to contain their dogs on their own properties after a recent spate of dog attacks. The council is investigating eight separate dog attacks which occurred over a two-week period in August in Clarence Town, Dungog and Paterson. The attacks involved roaming dogs injuring other dogs on their own property, attacking and killing chickens and dogs rushing at and attacking people including a meter reader. In one attack on a little dog the owner described the dog attack as “horrific”, as she detailed having to cut the dog out of the fence, with a grinder, as it had become deeply wedged between the vertical panels after being pulled through the fence by the larger attacking dog. The little dog suffered multiple puncture wounds and lacerations to the head, throat and body, requiring extensive surgery and ongoing veterinary treatment. “It is every dog owner’s responsibility to ensure their pets are appropriately socialised, behaved, monitored and under effective control at all times,” said council’s Environmental Compliance Officer Holley Patterson. “All dogs can be unpredictable and have the capacity to be aggressive and dangerous if they are not managed appropriately. Under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998, a dog that is in a public place must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash. “Dogs are prohibited in many public places such as parks and reserves and the Council encourages dog owners to take note of signage in these places to ensure they do the right thing,” said Ms Patterson. Ms Patterson advised that with the end of winter and with warmer weather, more people are out and about with their dogs and the recent spate of incidents shows that dog owners need to be mindful of the impact their dogs have on others. “An attack is deemed to have occurred if a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal, whether or not any injury is caused,” she said. “Many dog owners don’t consider their dog’s aggressive chasing of the postie, its snap at another dog or its growling at a passer-by as an attack, but these behaviours can be traumatic and distressing for all parties and do potentially represent offences which are taken seriously by the Council and the community.” With potential fines for a dog attack and other offences exceeding $500, dog and cat owners are also reminded of their responsibility to ensure their dogs are microchipped and registered if aged over 6 months, to keep dogs in appropriately secured areas so they don’t escape and roam unattended, and to take measures to minimise the likelihood that their dog’s barking impacts on neighbours. “Dogs roaming and barking are the two main animal related complaints received,” said Ms Patterson. “Council also has an ongoing program to check that animals are registered so owners should make sure they comply with this requirement. “Most dog owners do the right thing, however all owners need to take responsibility for their pets.” For further information regarding responsible pet ownership, the public can contact council’s Environmental Services Department on 49957777 or the NSW Office of Local Government www.olg.nsw.gov.au. New police officer welcomed Lostock church’s future concerns community Live, Love and Shop Local in Dungog

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