Dogs are an important part of life for Australians. Within the City of Stirling we have over 19,000 registered dogs. Whilst most dogs are loving companions, a small percentage represent a nuisance or a danger to the community. Before you buy a family pet or guard dog ask yourself some important questions. Is there enough room on your property for a dog? Are your fences and gates secure? Do you have enough time and money to responsibly care for a dog? You also need to think about why you want a dog. Be it a guard dog or family pet, all animals require time, exercise, patience and some form of training and vet care.

Fees for sterilising a dog range from around $100 depending on the size and breed. Sterilisation should be considered for all dogs. It is advisable to discuss the benefits with your local vet.

You, Your Dog and the Law
The Act of Parliament covering the control of dogs in the community is the Dog Act 1976, and is enforced by all Local Authorities. The City also has local laws which address dog control within the City of Stirling.


Dog and Puppy Training Hints to help you adhere to the law
Training your dog or puppy has many benefits for you, your pet and the whole community. Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping both you and dog out of trouble with the law, training creates mental stimulation for your dog which has added benefits on their overall behaviour. The most important basic training a pup or dog should learn are how to sit, stay and come, especially for off-lead situations e.g the park. However, training shouldn't end here, most dogs continue to learn their whole life! Click here for professional dog trainers within the City of Stirling.

Registration
All dogs over the age of three months must be registered.

The registration will apply from the date on the certificate until the ensuing 31 October. If a first registration is made after 31 May, the annual registration fee will be halved (this only applies to yearly registrations).

Your registration fee helps rangers reunite lost dogs with their owners, contributes to the maintenance of the Animal Care Facility and supports ranger patrol services within the City of Stirling.

 Download the Dog Registration Form

If you have changed your address or moved into the City of Stirling from another council, please let us know by calling 9345 8555.


Transfer of Dog Ownership
If you sell your dog or give your dog to another person, you will need to fill out the following form and send it into the City so we can update your dog's records. There are no fees associated with transferring ownership.

 Download the Transfer of Dog Ownership Form

Barking Dogs
Barking, whimpering, howling, whining, yelping and moaning are sounds made by dogs for communication. However, excessive noise can be a real nuisance, especially for neighbours. The City's Rangers can assist with cases of excessive dog noise.

 For further information click here

Dog Attacks
A court can order a dog to be destroyed if, without provocation or reasonable cause, it has bitten someone. The penalties for owners whose dogs attack others are harsh - you are responsible for your dog's behaviour. If you are involved in a dog attack seek the appropriate veterinary/medical assistance, then contact the City immediately on 9345 8555.

Dog Fouling
Please ensure you do the right thing to keep our environment a pleasant place for everyone to enjoy and pick up after your dog. Under the City's Local Laws, owners of dogs must take responsibility for removal and disposal of dog excreta. All dog parks and reserves have specially designated bins and pooch-pouch provisions for your convenience.

Stray or Lost Dogs
If you find a stray dog, try to confine it in your back yard or garage and call a Ranger on 9345 8555. If the dog has a registration tag or microchip, the City will contact its owner.

If your dog is lost contact the City's Animal Care Facility on 9345 8584 (during opening hours only)

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 2.00pm to 5.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 12.30pm to 1.30pm

The R.S.P.C.A. also houses lost/stray animals. You can contact them on 9209 9300.

Application for more than two dogs on a property
You must have a permit to keep more than two dogs on a property in the City of Stirling. Properties will be inspected by a ranger to determine if the property is suitable for keeping more than two dogs. Where current complaints have been received about the dogs, applications will not be supported by City Officers.

 Application - Keeping More than 2 Dogs
 Fact Sheet - Keeping More than 2 Dogs

Inspections will assess:

• faecal disposal;
• housing of animals;
• fence height and stability;
• closeness of neighbours;
• previous history; and
• neighbours comments.

Application Fees 

Please note that the Application Fee is a ONE-OFF FEE that is NON-REFUNDABLE should your application be rejected


Restricted Dog Breeds

The Restricted Breeds Regulations (2002) details restrictions regarding certain breeds of dogs. at present restricted breeds include:

• Perro de Presa Canario (Canary dog);
• Dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog);
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog);
• Japanese Tosa;
• American Pit Bull terrier; and
• Pit Bull terrier breeds.

A restricted breed dog also includes a dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of the prohibited breeds.

The identified breeds have characteristics which include some or all of the following:

• historically bred for fighting;
• exceptional strength; and
• a tendency to attack/fight beyond simple superiority over an “opponent”.

Whilst most dog owners responsibly train and control their dog, some dog owners do not. The restricted breeds have a documented history of aggressive attacks on people and other animals and can present a very real and unacceptable threat to the community if not adequately controlled.

Nine conditions apply in respect to the above-mentioned dogs:

• Dog to wear a prescribed collar;
• Property to display dangerous dog signs;
• Escape-proof and child-proof fencing;
• Restricted dogs to be on a leash and muzzled while in public places;
• Persons in charge must be over 18 years of age;
• A maximum of two restricted dogs per property without a permit from the council;
• Owners of all dogs must be 18 years or over;
• Compulsory notification of a prospective owner that the dog is a restricted breed dog;
• Compulsory notification to local government if the dog escapes, dies or there is a change of ownership; and
• Compulsory sterilisation of all restricted breeds dogs.

If you fail to comply with the regulations a seizure and destruction order may be obtained on your dog, with a maximum penalty of $5000 under the Dog Act 1976.

For further information regarding the laws please contact the City’s Customer Contact Centre on
(08) 9345 8555.

Dog Exercise Areas
All dogs must be kept on a leash whilst at Stirling Civic Gardens, Stirling or Albert James Park, Joondanna. All other public parks within the City of Stirling are classified as Dog Exercise Areas and as such, dogs can be exercised without a leash attached.

The following areas are classified as Dog Beach Exercise Areas:

• Extending northwards 200m from the City's southern boundary at Peasholm Street, South Scarborough
• Between Kathleen and Bennion Streets, Trigg
• Between Castle and Margaret Streets, North Beach

Owners must carry a leash and ensure that their dog/s are under effective control at all times. Whilst the term ‘under effective control’ can be interpreted in many ways, broadly it means:

• the dog responds to owners command, and particularly returns when called;
• the dog is within a reasonable distance from the owner;
• the dog does not act in a threatening or aggressive manner;
• the dog does not cause damage to flora or fauna;
• the dog does not enter a lake or water channel; and
• the dog does not bother other people or other animals.

Please do the right thing to ensure our parks and reserves can be enjoyed by all users.

Penalties