Dog law changes

The State Government has changed laws for restricted breeds of dogs. We encourage owners to come forward, participate in an amnesty that ended on 29 September 2011 and register their dogs. We will work with responsible pet owners.

Anyone with concerns can call 9243 8888.

For more information, visit Department of Primary Industries website.

On leash laws

We enforce on-leash laws to promote and encourage positive health, safety and wellbeing for our community.
 
A Council order, made under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, requires dogs to be kept on a leash at all times when in public place. However, dogs can still be exercised off a leash in designated off-leash parks.
 
This law does not apply to a Declared Dangerous, Menacing or Restricted Breed Dog or a greyhound which must meet the restraint requirements specified under the Domestic Animal Act 1994. 

The order also prohibits dogs from being within 15 metres of any children’s playground, public barbeque, shared path or exercise equipment area.
 
For more information regarding dogs on leash laws, contact us on 9243 8888.

How many dogs can I have?

If you live in a house or flat you are allowed to keep:

• four dogs under three months old
• two dogs over three months old

If you wish to keep more dogs you will need to apply for a permit.

Desexing

Desexing your dog prevents unwanted pups being born and can help calm animals. Desexed dogs are generally not as aggressive and do not wander as often.

We offer residents a reduced registration fee for desexed dogs.

Microchipping

All dogs must be microchipped before registration. Microchipping is inexpensive because it is a one-off cost that protects your dog for life.

You can have your dog microchipped at the vet and we also run an annual microchipping day in March.

You must bring proof of microchipping before registering your dog. You can get a proof of microchipping from the vet or from the supplier of your pet's microchip.

All dogs with lapsed registrations must be microchipped.

Lost registration tags

If your dog has lost its registration tag, a replacement can be posted to you.

Call us on 9243 8888 or collect it in person at 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds.

Keep your dog safe

Confining your dog will prevent dog attacks, traffic injuries, dog fights and your dog getting lost. You will be fined if your dog is found wandering unattended outside your property.

Dog obedience and training

One of the responsibilities of being a dog owner is ensuring that your dog is well behaved and manageable in public.

Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds will benefit from training. Dog training teaches your dog how to behave better and it teaches you the skills to prevent and minimise conflict.

Find a local obedience club and training centre.

Barking dogs

Dogs that bark too much can be annoying to your neighbours.

Dogs bark:

• Out of boredom, loneliness or frustration
• To seek attention
• To alerting or warn others if it thinks a threat is present
• Out of fear
• For medical reasons (having fleas, allergy or illness)
• For physical reasons (feeling hot, cold, hungry or thirsty)

Ways to stop your dog barking excessively:

• Walk your dog frequently
• Make sure your dog is in good health and has fresh water, a balanced diet, dog toys and adequate shelter from weather extremes
• Take your dog to obedience classes and practice what you learn regularly
• Block the view from your property with solid fencing, shade cloth or hedging

Complaining about a barking dog in your neighbourhood:

Before raising a complaint, you should try talking to the owner of the dog. They may be unaware of the problem, as the dog may only bark when they are not home.

If you cannot reach a resolution:

• call the Dispute Settlement Centre on 1800 658 528 for free advice on resolving neighbourhood issues like barking dogs
• lodge a complaint with us. You will need to keep a diary of the disturbance for a few weeks.

Dangerous dogs

Dogs are declared to be dangerous if they have inflicted injury on a person or another animal, if they have been trained to attack or if they are kept to guard a non-residential premise.

We can also declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing if it rushes at or chases someone. There are strict controls on the housing, exercising and ownership of these dogs.

Picking up after your dog

We offer free bags in off and on leash parks and reserves for owners to pick up after their dogs.

You may be fined if you don't.

Off leash parks

There are several parks and reserves in Moonee Valley where dogs can exercise off leash.

All other areas including roads, streets and footpaths require dogs to be on a leash of no longer than three metres.

In all off leash areas, where there is a play equipment, BBQ area or shared pathway all dogs when within 15m of them, must be on a leash. Dogs must be under effective control of their owner or handler at all other times.

Under effective control means:

• the dog must return to its owner on command
• the dog must not bother or worry other people or animals

Off leash parks and reserves in Moonee Valley

Park	Location	Mel Ref
Aberfeldie Park	The Boulevard, Aberfeldie	28 C6
Allan Reserve	Park Drive, East Keilor	27 D2
Boeing Reserve (Northern end only)	Boeing Road, Strathmore Heights	16 D5
Cross Keys Reserve (Eastern end only)	Bridge Street, Essendon	28 K1
Davis Reserve	Fullarton Street, Airport West	15 G9
Fairbairn Park	Woods Street, Ascot Vale	28 C9
Spring Gully Reserve	Keilor Road, East Keilor	15 G10
Thompson Street Reserve	Thompson Street, Avondale Heights	27 C5
Travancore Park	Mooltan Street, Flemington	29 B10