MEDIA RELEASE – APPROVED INSPECTION PROGRAM
Torres Shire Council is commencing an Approved Inspection Program, starting on 1 March 2024 and running through to the 31 August 2024, to monitor residents’ compliance with the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. Local Government Act 2009, the Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2013 and Torres Shire Council Subordinate Local Law (no 2) Animal Management 2013. The Approved Inspection Program is being conducted throughout the region and involves inspecting properties based on dogs that were registered to the address; or if there appears to be dogs residing at the property and that the property is either residential, commercial or industrial properties located on Thursday Island, Horn Island and Prince of Wales Island.
Property inspections are being conducted by Council's Compliance Officers (‘Authorised Persons’) to determine the registration status of dogs, compliance with the implanting of Prescribed Permanent Identification Devices (PPID) and compliance with the requirement to ensure a suitable enclosure is provided to prevent an animal wandering at large.
Mayor Loban said today, ‘This program is to monitor residents’ compliance with the law and is focussed on responsible pet ownership’. Mayor Loban continued, ‘Council does not want the community confronted with safety risks because of dog attacks or packs of dogs wandering at large. The message is clear. If you have a dog, get it registered, keep it inside a safe enclosure, exercise the dog on a lead, pick up their excrement and don’t expect our staff to do this in the parks and walkways and make sure your dogs are microchipped’.
Torres Shire Council Subordinate Local Law (no 2) Animal Management 2013, a copy of which is available on the Council website, sets out the circumstances where keeping a dog is not permitted. These include none of the following breeds are permitted anywhere in the local government area: American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario. More than 2 dogs over the age of 12 weeks are not permitted at any premises that is part of a Multiple Dwelling Premises; and subject to qualification, more than 2 dogs over the age of 12 weeks on an allotment with an area less than or equal to 600m2.
Mayor Loban concluded, ‘It is the pet owner and property owner/occupier’s responsibility to look after their pets and comply with the law – the same law that applies on the mainland. It is not Council’s responsibility to care for your pets, but it is Council’s responsibility to ensure that if you break the law there will be compliance action, and so the approved inspection program is being run from the beginning of March to the end of August this year. 99% of pet owners in the Shire are law-abiding and care for their pets. The Approved Inspection Program aims to ensure 100% compliance and with the community’s help and cooperation, I am sure this will be achieved’.
End Release
TSC Media Centre
Contact: CEO Dalassa Yorkston
Mobile: 0429 691 333 Email: ceo@torres.qld.gov.au