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DOG attacks are on the rise in Bathurst, with an alarming number of people becoming victims. That's why Bathurst Regional Council is calling on people to take more responsibility for their pets so many of these incidents can be prevented. In the 2016-17 financial year, there was a combined 33 dog attacks on people and animals. The figure rose to 40 the following financial year and in 2018-19, there were 53 attacks. Nineteen of those were on people. READ ALSO: Dog attack: Lambs mauled during early morning attack | Photos, pictures "This is an unacceptable trend, particularly when there are additional attacks which are not reported. Some of the recent attacks have caused serious injury to people and death of other animals, often farm livestock or a pet of another family," mayor Graeme Hanger said. "The community expects to go about their business and leisure without harassment or injury from stray dogs, made more frustrating because most of these dogs are unregistered." The number of dogs in Bathurst being microchipped has increased, but the trend doesn't translate to registration numbers. In 2015, there were 603 dogs registered with council, but that was only 39 per cent of the number that were microchipped in the local government area that year. The percentage has generally decreased year on year, with it being 38 per cent in 2016, 31.4 in 2017 and 31.7 in 2018. From the start of 2019 to the end of June, only 27 per cent of the dogs microchipped were registered. ALSO MAKING NEWS: Slight drop in Bullet passenger figures, but thousands still board Registering dogs is a legal requirement. It helps people be reunited with their pets if they stray, and allows council's to contact owners if their dogs cause trouble. Cr Hanger said council takes dog attacks very seriously and noted that registration was one of the ways to reduce the risk of it occurring. "The best way to reduce dog attacks is for by dog owners to avoid aggressive dog breeds, ensure their dog is properly trained, register their dogs, make sure their dog is contained securely when at home and under control on a lead when out of its yard," he said. When dogs do act out in aggression, council takes necessary action to ensure the owners take responsibility for the attack. In the last financial year, council seized 76 dogs and issued 54 penalty infringement notices for various offences, 10 menacing dog orders and three dangerous dog orders.

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