Dog ownership
Having a dog is a wonderful experience, but pet owners do have responsibilites to both their pet and the community they live in.

Dog obedience
If you have ongoing problems with your dogs behaviour, dog obedience classes are held Thursday nights at Blatherskite Park located on Len Kittle Drive, call 0404 292 853 for details.

Avoiding dog attacks
The Council Rangers have put together a brochure outlining how to avoid and prevent dog attacks. Pick up a brochure from Council offices or view the brochure on Council’s website, www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au

Driving with your dog
If you go driving with your dog, under the Northern Territory Animal Welfare Act, you must restrain or enclose your dog to prevent it from falling from the vehicle.
If your dog is transported in the open back of your vehicle, a cage, or an appropriate collar or harness and a lead must be used. A choker collar or choker chain is not suitable. Cages or fully enclosed trays are also appropriate. If your dog is transported inside your vehicle, check that windows are up high enough to prevent the dog from falling out.

While it is not in the Council’s wish to fine people, there is an on-the-spot fine for not restraining your dog correctly.

If you have any other further queries, please contact the Council on 8950 0500.

Microchipping
A dog can be registered for life with a microchip. An application form needs to be completed at the Council Civic Centre, and a there is a fee payable. The Council’s registration fee pays for the microchip and the vet’s fee. You should get your dog microchipped within 14 days of registering it. Registration is not complete without a microchip.

The cashier will give you two copies of the application form and you can make an appointment with a vet of your choice. Take your dog and both copies of the application form to the vet who will implant your dog with a microchip at no further cost.

Note that ‘lifetime registration’ only applies while you reside in Alice Springs - it does not transfer to other Councils should you move away from Alice Springs.
The microchip, which is around the size of a grain of rice, is implanted in the scruff of the animal’s neck with a special tool. The procedure is no more painful than an injection. A microchip can prove true ownership of a stolen dog.

If you take your dog away on holidays and it gets lost, there are two steps you should take:
1. check the local Council’s pound, RSPCA and animal shelters closest to the point where your dog went missing; and
2. if they do not have your dog, call us on (08) 8950 0500 and let us know where we can contact you.

To keep the dog registration database accurate, you should tell the Council:
• if you move from your current address;
• if you give your dog away to the RSPCA or someone else;
• if you sell your dog;
• if your dog is lost;
• if you get your dog desexed;
• if your dog is going to be looked after by someone else at their home or kennel for an extended period; and
• if your dog dies.

Dog complaints
If you have a problem with a neighbour’s pet, politely tell your neighbour. He or she may not be aware of the problem. If the problem continues, complaints can be directed to the Council either in person or by telephone on 8950 0500 during office hours.

When reporting a complaint, you need to give your name, address and telephone number, details of your complaint, a description of the dog and the address or location of the offending dog (if known). This information is recorded and a Council Ranger will investigate and take appropriate action. With the exception of serious dog attacks, Council Rangers will usually caution an owner for the first complaint. In most cases, owners take action to solve the problem.

An infringement notice will usually only be issued if the problem persists. The Council prefers to work with owners to solve problems rather than force owners to pay fines or part with their pets.

For serious problems after hours you may ring the Council emergency number on 0408897452. This number is available:
• Monday to Friday 6am - 8am and 5pm - 7pm
• Saturday & Sunday 7am - 7pm

Police may be contacted on 8951 8888, only in the case of serious after-hours dog attacks and when Council Rangers can not be contacted.

Owner responsibilities
Council receives complaints when dogs are noisy, entering other yards, chasing people, cars or bicycles, and so on. Some of the offences can attract fines, including:
• no identification device on your dog;
• owning an unregistered dog;
• no kennel license;
• allowing your dog to chase a vehicle; and
• animal causing a nuisance.

Under the Council By-laws, offending dog owners may be issued with an ‘on-the-spot’ fine that must be paid within 14 days. If not paid, Court action may be taken. Owners who permit their dogs to be a nuisance may be fined for each offence as well as for their dog being ‘at large’. A dog is ‘at large’ when it is not on its owner’s property and is not under effective control. Effective control generally means that a dog is being restrained by a leash, which is held by a person over the age of 10 years.

There are penalties for a dog attacking/menacing a person. Even when a dog attacks or menaces a person on the dog owner’s property, this may be an offence. Callers on legitimate business have an implied right to approach your house door nearest the street without risking being injured or placed in fear. So, if you have a guard dog, make sure that callers can get to and from your front door safely.

The Council Rangers can help with any problems related to your dog’s behaviour. We also have a citronella based anti-bark collar device for loan.You must also have a kennel license if you have three or more dogs on the one property.

When your dog dies
When your dog dies, you must arrange for it to be buried at the Landfill and also contact the Administration Officer, Rangers Unit on (08) 8950 0500. Dead pets should not be put in your everyday bin, as they are required by law to be buried at a certain depth. It’s a good idea to call ahead at the Landfill weighbridge on (08) 8953 3674 before you intend to deposit the body to check the burial fee . If you don’t want to transport your dog yourself, you can contact WasteMaster on (08) 8952 1336 who will offer this service at an extra cost.