SOUTH East pet owners must ensure their dogs and cats are microchipped as part of the largest overhaul in management laws in more than a century.
The new laws – which will be swept in on July 1 – are designed to make it easier for authorities to reunite pets with their owners and reduce euthanasia rates.
Grant District Council community ranger Dale Millar – who rounds up dozens of wandering dogs each year across the district – urged people to ensure their pets were microchipped ahead of the changes.
Mr Millar also called on dog owners to ensure their canines were secured at all times given a number of dog attacks over the past week.
One of the incidents resulted in a woman being bitten by a dog at Mil Lel.
“People need to take responsibility and contain their dogs properly,” Mr Millar said.
“We have seen a lot of dogs roaming and some in packs that attack stock.”
Regarding the new laws, he said dogs must be microchipped.
“From May 29 until July 1, Grant District Council will take registrations for this year at no cost,” Mr Millar said.
He said people attending council offices during this period would also receive a lifetime disc containing the number.
“Between May 29 and July 1, you have to come into the council office,” Mr Millar said.
“We want people to come in and get them on the system, registered and complying with State Government legislation.”
The community ranger also revealed the community was confused over the changes to desexing laws.
“All dogs do not have to be desexed,” Mr Millar said.
“The new laws relate to dogs born after July 2018.
“So if you have dog now they do not have to be desexed, but they must be microchipped.”
In response to mandatory microchipping of cats, Mr Millar encouraged people to follow this new law, but revealed council would not be enforcing it.
“Council hasn’t got a cat policy and we are not going to be monitoring it – we do not have the resources or funding to do it,” he said.
Mr Millar said there would be possibly thousands of cats in the district that would be impossible to monitor.
“‘I’m one of two people at the council who monitor the area and we have 190,000ha to look after – you can imagine how many cats there are,” he said.
Mr Millar said there were already 2500 dogs registered in the Grant district, including those that were not registered.
“With the new statewide system, you can register your cats online,” he said.
“The good thing about this if they are registered on the system, you can get them back.”
Dog and Cat Management Board secretary Andrew Lamb said there were a number of discounted microchipping services available in the lead-up to the new laws.
“Many vets, councils and rescue groups are offering discounted microchipping rates, with an average cost of around $25 to $40 per microchip,” Mr Lamb said.
“Collars can fall off or be removed, but the microchip will always be there, allowing vets, councils and shelters to quickly scan your lost pet, find your contact details and get your pet safely back home.”
