2 March 2017

Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government

Community asked to provide comments on draft dog control laws

The Government has released draft changes to dog control laws.  The changes are designed to make sure the laws are simpler and more in line with community expectations.

The Government is committed to getting the balance right between public safety and responsible dog ownership.

The changes include:

• Exempting greyhounds that have graduated from the Greyhound Adoption Program from the requirement to wear a muzzle when in a public place;
• Allowing councils to permanently ban dogs from certain areas;
• Requiring dog owners to inform their council of their dog’s microchip number;
• Requiring dog owners to inform councils when a dangerous dog is transferred to its municipal area;
• Providing greater clarity for primary producers relating to livestock on rural land;
• Clarifying laws relating to court appeals regarding the destruction of dangerous dogs; and
• Allowing authorised officers to take DNA samples from dogs suspected of being involved in attacks.

More information is available here - http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/local_government

Submissions close on 7 April 2017 and can be lodged by emailing lgd@dpac.tas.gov.au or by post to the Deputy Director, Local Government Division, GPO Box 123, Hobart, Tas, 7001.

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