Bass Coast Shire Council's Domestic Animal Management Plan 2017 - 2021 has recently undergone its annual review.
At the November Council Meeting, Council endorsed both the Year 2 Action Plan review and the Year 3 Action Plan. Every Council must review its DAMP annually and, if appropriate, amend the Plan.
The Plan promotes responsible pet ownership and outlines programs, services and strategies relating to the Plan, including staff training, registration and identification of cats and dogs, nuisance cats and dogs, dog attacks, overpopulation and high euthanasia rates, domestic animal businesses and dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs.
Some achievements of Year 2 include ongoing training of the Community Safety Team, the provision of new off-leash beach areas in San Remo and Phillip Island, a review of Council's dog attack processes and a review of its processes surrounding the declaration of dangerous and menacing dogs. Five officers also completed restricted breed training and Council is increasingly using menacing and dangerous dog declarations to manage dogs that have been involved in attacks and rushes.
The number of animals claimed from Council's animal shelter has increased by 10 per cent to 67 per cent. This is a great outcome and is a reflection of the work Council officers are doing in relation to responsible pet ownership.
In reviewing these achievements, officers had the opportunity to identify new actions and carryover actions from Year 2 that have been included in the Year 3 Action Plan.
The Year 3 Action Plan includes continued consultation for off-leash beach areas at Cowes East and Rhyll and for a fenced off-leash area at Blue Gum Reserve in Cowes. Council's cat containment policy will be reviewed in consultation with the community and officers will continue to review and improve the procedures in place for the seizure and impounding of dangerous and restricted breed dogs. Council will also continue to identify and register Domestic Animal Businesses that operate in Bass Coast.
To view the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2017-2021, visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/plans.
