Pet Owner Responsibilities

• Dogs must have a collar around their neck that shows the name of the dog and contact information for its owner.
• Owners should ensure dogs are well protected within their property and have no means for escaping.
• When in a public place, your dog must be on a secure leash and under the control of a responsible person.
• If using a designated off-leash area, your dog must exercise good recall at all times.
• A person may walk a maximum of four dogs at a time.
• Greyhounds must wear a muzzle in pubic unless they are exempt under the Greyhound Rehoming Program
• It is an offence to leave dog waste in public places. Always clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly.

Under the Companion Animal Act 1998, cats in NSW are considered free-roaming, and as such, Council cannot seize stray cats. It can often be difficult to differentiate between a lost pet and a stray or homeless cat.

As a responsible cat owner, you can help minimise your pet’s impact on the environment and surrounding community by following these simple steps:

• Ensure your cat is microchipped and registered. Don’t forget to add a collar with an ID tag to help identify your pet if they wander.
• Desexing your cat at an early age will help prevent unwanted kittens and reduce behaviours such as territorial marking, yowling at night, and the tendency to roam in search of a mate. Early desexing also reduces the risk of your cat getting involved in fights.
• Cats are natural hunters, and they tend to cause the most environmental damage after dark. By keeping your cat indoors overnight, you help reduce their instinct to hunt and their impact on wildlife.
• Ensure your cat has access to fresh food, clean water, and a comfortable shelter at all times.

By taking these responsible steps, you not only help protect the environment but also ensure your cat leads a happier, healthier life.

Dealing with barking dogs can be challenging. The Barking Dog Courtesy Letter is a simple, non-confrontational way to let a dog owner know that their pet's barking is causing a disturbance.

Using this letter as a first step can often resolve the issue amicably. If the problem persists, it shows that initial efforts were made before involving Council for further support.

Barking Dog Courtesy Letter(PDF, 56KB)

How to Use It

1. Download and print the letter.
2. Deliver it anonymously to the property where the dog resides.
3. If the issue continues, contact Council for assistance.

Council's Compliance Officers will ask you to complete a barking dog diary, which will form the major component of Council's evidence take any form of enforcement action.

If you suspect the dog is barking due to abandonment or other welfare concerns, please report this to the RSPCA.

https://www.rspcansw.org.au/report-a-cruelty-case/

 Council recommends the following tips to reduce your dogs barking: 

• Get advice from a qualified dog trainer
• Consult your vet and rule out any health issues
• Provide your dog with toys and sources of enrichment
• Take your dog for daily walks and give them plenty of exercise
• Make sure that your dog’s environment suits their size, breed & age
• Consider blocking your dog’s view of the street, as dogs often bark at passersby/cars etc