Dogs 

Dog ownership is a big responsibility and it is your job as a dog owner to ensure your dogs provided with the proper care and attention they deserve. This includes ensuring your dog is microchipped, registered with your local council, managed in public spaces in accordance with local laws and contained properly on private property. The Shire of Cuballing is committed to promoting responsible dog ownership through community awareness and local laws that were created to sustain a safe environment for dogs and residents.

Registration Information

The Act sets out the requirements for dog owners to register their dogs with the local government they reside within. All dogs that have reached three months of age must be:

• Microchipped; and
• Registered with the relevant local government.

When applying for registration, you must bring proof of your dog being microchipped as provided by your vet. If your dog is not microchipped, you must provide a certificate of exemption, also provided by your vet. Microchipping is mandatory, so your registration may be refused if proof of your dogs microchip number is not provided.

Sterilisation is currently not mandatory, but the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021 will make sterilisation at two years of age mandatory sometime in the future. At present, owners who provide proof of sterilisation may be eligible for reduced registration and renewal fees.

Please note that you, or a delegate, must be at least 18 years of age to register a dog.

Applications

Dog registrations are valid for the annual registration period running from 1 November to 31 October the following year, in line with cat registration periods. Registration terms are reduced on 31 October each year, regardless of the date the dog was originally registered. As a result, the initial registration period may be less than 12 months unless the registration is completed during November.

Current registration periods the Shire provides are:

• 1-year;
• 3-years;
• lifetime; and
• carried over from previous local government.

 Dogs classed as dangerous can only be registered for 1-year periods (you can only have annual renewals). Please see further down for the section covering Dangerous Dogs.

Renewal notices will be sent out a few weeks before the registrations lapse.

If you are wanting to register your dog, please complete the dog registration form, along with provide proof of your dog’s microchip and sterilisation certificate (if applicable). The registration can be completed at the Shire of Cuballing office at 22 Campbell Street, Cuballing.

If you are a pensioner concession card holder or own a working dog, you are entitled to a discount on the dog registration fees. You must provide a copy of your pensioner card if applying for a pensioner concession.

Fees and Charges 

Registration Fees for Non-Dangerous Dogs	Sterilised	Unsterilised
1 Year Registration	$20.00	$50.00
3 Year Registration	$42.50	$120.00
Lifetime Registration	$100.00	$250.00
Pensioner Concession	50% Concession	50% Concession
Working Dog Concession	75% Concession	75% Concession
Registration Fees for Dangerous Dogs
1 Year Registration		$50.00
Pound Fees
Seizure Fee - Registered Dog		$56.65
Seizure Fee - Un-Registered Dog		$113.50
Daily Impound Fee		$22.00
Disposal/Destruction		$122.00

Dogs

Transfer of Dog Registration from your Previous Shire

If you have recently moved and want to transfer your dogs registration to the Shire of Cuballing, you will need to complete the dog and cat transfer form. Once the Shire Administration staff have obtained confirmation from the previous Shire, your dogs registration will be transferred over.  Transferal of dog registrations in this way carries no fees.

 

Maximum Number of Dogs

Under the Local Law, residents are permitted to keep a maximum of two (2) dogs over the age of three months on a property, or up to four (4) dogs for properties located outside the townsite. If you wish to keep more than this number, you can apply to council by completing the Application to the exemption of the number of dogs allowed form.

The approval is subject to an assessment of the property to ensure there is adequate space and appropriate facilities to maintain the dogs without creating a nuisance or posing a risk to the health and safety of the animals or residents. Any approved permit may also include specific conditions relating to the care and housing of the dogs, as determined by the Ranger.

Puppies under three months of age are not included in the permitted dog limit. Where a litter is born, the puppies and their mother are considered a single dog for registration purposes until the puppies reach three months of age.

 

Breeder Permits

Under WA’s Stop Puppy Farming | LGIRS, dog breeders must obtain approval from their local government. Breeders must maintain high welfare standards, ensure proper care, and record all puppies and dog.

 

Dog Complaints – Nuisance and Dog Attacks

Nuisance Dogs

You may inform the Shire of any dogs that may be causing a nuisance in your area. Examples of Nuisance Behaviours include:

• Wandering dogs, on the street or around other private property;
• Dogs causing damage such as digging holes or scratching objects;
• Dogs habitually barking in the middle of the night;
• Dogs urinating on your private property or assets;
• Dogs leaving excrement in public spaces or other private property, or the owner not cleaning up after their dogs.

We encourage residents to first speak with the dog owner to try to resolve the matter, as they may not realise their dog is creating a disturbance. If the issue cannot be resolved through discussion, you can then contact us for further assistance.

Before any action is taken, a ranger will investigate the complaint to determine whether the reported behaviour constitutes a genuine nuisance beyond what would normally be expected from a dog.

Dog Attacks

If you or your pet has been attacked by a dog, or you believe there was a risk of an attack, please contact the Shire as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide a statement of the attack or the threat in writing, so the matter can be investigated by one of our rangers. An online report can be created by completing the Dog Complaint Form by clicking here.

Following the investigation, if it is determined that the dog caused injury or damage, the ranger or Shire may take a range of actions. These may include declaring the dog dangerous, issuing an infringement notice or recommending further enforcement action, impounding the dog, or in serious circumstances, seeking an order for the dog to be destroyed.

Reporting Dog Issues

The Shire can only investigate nuisances and other dog issues after receiving a written complaint. Complaints in other forms, such as those posted on social media, will not be pursued. An online report can be filed by completing the Dog Complaint Form by clicking here.

Dog Legislations

• Dog Act 1976
• Dog regulations 2013
• Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act
• Dog Local laws 

Useful Links 

DLGSC - Dogs and Cats

DLGSC - Stop Puppy Farming

RSPCA