Responsibilities of Pet Owners
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8 February, 2022
What you should know about taking your pet out in public areas.
Your Responsibilities
When taking your pet out in public, make sure you are prepared to pick up any litter it leaves behind. As a responsible dog owner it’s up to you to ensure that your dog is well behaved and manageable in public environments such as parks and public pavements.
Picking up after your pet
Dog faeces is unsightly and unpleasant. It also pollutes waterways when washed in by rainwater. When exercising your pet in public, please use dog tidy bags and pick up after your pet. If walking your dog in an area where bags have not been provided, please make sure that you take your own with you. Council Rangers are empowered to take measures to ensure dog owners comply with the Companion Animals Act 1998. Failure to pick up after your pet in public areas can incur on-the-spot fines.
Why it is important to pick up dog litter
Leaving dog faeces in public is against the law; Dog faeces pollute our parks, waterways and pathways. It can cause inconvenience for other residents and Council employees who need to clean up the mess left behind.Infectious Diseases and Parasites
Bacteria and parasites (including fleas and worms) can be passed onto other animals. Dog owners can reduce this risk by regular intestinal worming, disposing of dog faeces and preventing dogs from scavenging. An adult dog should be wormed every three months; puppies must be wormed every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old and then monthly until they are six months old.