Taking Care of Our ‘Other’ Family Members

Published on 23 August 2022

After community consultation, Council has developed the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-2025 to reflect the community’s feedback about animal management in the Shire. The draft Plan is now being made available for community members to review. Does Council have animal management right? Does the Plan adequately consider how pets live in harmony with people, other animals and the environment?

The Domestic Animal Management Plan is a requirement of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Domestic Animal Regulations 2015. The draft Plan identifies Council’s responsibilities for education and compliance and outlines the key issues, objectives and priorities of domestic animal management. The Plan applies for 4 years and is reviewed annually.

Mayor Cr James Tehan encouraged community members to review the Plan.

“Many of our residents enjoy the positive health and wellbeing outcomes that arise from pet ownership, but even if they don’t, their lives are still impacted by how animals are managed – be it a neighbour’s barking dogs, wandering cats, dogs off lead or jumping on their children in the park, said Cr. Tehan.

“It’s important that the community let us know whether the Plan addresses their needs or those of the community before it is finalised. We believe we’ve done a good job of listening to the needs of the community. Now we need to know – do we have it right?”

Owning a pet does come with responsibilities and these are detailed in the Plan together with the range of services offered by Council, including enforcement policies.

The plan covers issues such as:

• Concerns about animal-related matters (nuisance animals, dog attacks, dangerous dogs and restricted breeds)
• Ideas and resources to help locals manage and care for their pets
• How Council manages compliance with pet related laws

Go to engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au to view the draft Plan. Hard copies are also available at the Library and municipal office. Written submissions will be accepted and should be addressed to Mansfield Shire Council, Private Bag 1000, Mansfield, or emailed to council@mansfield.vic.gov.au

Feedback is to be submitted by 8 September 2022. 

If you have any queries regarding the draft Plan, please contact Council on 5775 8555.