Dogs and cats
The City of Fremantle rangers are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the Dog Act 1976 are complied with and maintained throughout the city.
As an owner of a dog or cat you have obligations and responsilities. The following information will assist you in being a responsible pet owner.
Dogs
Responsible dog ownership includes:
- registering your dog from 3 months of age
- having your dog on a leash at all times, when not on your property, unless in an approved dog walking area
- the maximum number of dogs a person is ordinarily permitted to keep on a premise is 2.
Barking
Barking is a dog’s natural means of communication and often signifies its alertness to danger or intruders. However, a dog that persistently barks to a degree or extent not normally habitual in dogs constitutes a nuisance.
The cause of nuisance barking may be:
- lack of training
- insufficient exercise
- loneliness
- inadequate shelter
- ill health or
- deliberate or unintentional provocation by people or other dogs.
If our rangers consider your dog to be a nuisance you may be issued with an infringement notice or taken to court.
Fencing requirements
When registering your dog you will be required to sign a declaration to certify that the fences and gates at the property where the dog will normally reside are capable of confining the dog within those premises.
Rangers may seize and impound dogs found wandering in public places. If your dog is impounded, fees and charges will apply to recover the dog. If unclaimed within three days (72 hours) the dog may be re-homed or euthanized.
Dog attacks
A dog attack does not only refer to incidences involving the dog actually inflicting a wound. If a dog attacks or chases any person or any animal owned by or in the charge of another person, whether or not any injury occurs, the person liable for the control of that dog may incur a penalty of up to $10 000. The penalty for urging or setting a dog to attack a person or animal is up to $10 000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
Restricted breeds
A restricted breed is defined as a breed of dog the importation of which is prohibited absolutely by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
Excreta
Permitting your dog to excrete in public and failing to adequately remove or dispose of such excreta constitutes an offence under the City of Fremantle Dog Local Laws. Please use bags provided.
Contact our rangers on 08 9432 9905 or email rangers@fremantle.wa.gov.au, for more information or for complaints regarding dogs.
Cats
Changes to the Cat Act 2011
The Act will require the identification through micro-chipping, sterilisation and registration of domestic cats in WA. The new cat laws will come into effect in November 2012; however owners will have a one-year grace period – until November 2013 – to implement the mandatory requirements.
Registration for cats within the City of Fremantle will not be accepted until Friday 1 November 2013.
More information is provided here.
Responsible cat ownership includes:
- sterilising your cat – we offer sterilisation subsidies
- ensuring your cat wears a bell – protecting wildlife
- bringing your cat in at night – protects wildlife, reduces the risk of cats being hit by cars and cat fights.
For complaints regarding persons keeping more than 3 cats which are causing a nuisance, contact our compliance services team here.