Responsible Pet Ownership
Welcome to the Responsible Pet Ownership initiative by Banana Shire Council!
At Banana Shire Council, we are passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership within our community. We believe that being a responsible pet owner not only benefits your furry friend but also contributes to a safe and harmonious neighborhood for everyone.
Through our Responsible Pet Ownership initiative, we aim to provide valuable resources and support to help pet owners make informed decisions and ensure the well-being of their beloved pets. We understand that responsible pet ownership encompasses various aspects, including proper care, training, socialization, and adhering to local regulations.
On this platform, you will find a wealth of information on topics such as pet care guidelines, licensing and registration requirements, training tips, and creating a pet-friendly environment. We are here to help you navigate the journey of pet ownership and provide guidance on the best practices that promote responsible pet ownership.
Our team is dedicated to addressing any concerns or questions you may have. Whether you need information on pet health and nutrition, understanding local pet-related laws, or seeking guidance on resolving any issues related to pet behavior or community safety, we are just a call or email away.
We believe that responsible pet ownership is a shared responsibility, and together, we can create a community where pets and people coexist happily and harmoniously. So, let's embark on this journey together and make a positive impact on the lives of our furry companions and our community as a whole.
For more information or assistance, please feel free to contact us at 07 4992 9500 or send an email to enquiries@banana.qld.gov.au. We are here to support you in becoming a responsible pet owner and ensuring the well-being of your four-legged friends.
Dog Registration
The dog registration year in Banana Shire Council ends on the 31st July 2023. Your dog registration is deemed overdue as at the 1st August 2023. If you have not received your notice, please contact Council immediately to avoid fines.
All dogs in Queensland must be registered as per Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. To register a dog, a Dog Registration Form must be completed by the applicant, and the required registration fees paid – Fees and charges. Animal owners must be 18 years of age.
Discounts are available for:
- pensioners on the provision of pension cards (not including permits, dangerous or menacing dog registration);
- desexed and microchipped dogs, on the provision of a desexing certificate; and
- renewal of registrations in the first month of the new financial year.
Our dog registration year runs from August to July. Renewal notices are sent via the elected method (email or post). As a responsible pet owner, it is your obligation to ensure all dogs are registered within 14 days of keeping the dog and/or is 12 weeks of age.
All details must be kept up to date as per Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. If your dog is desexed during the registration year, you are eligible for a full refund, ensure you complete the Change of Information for Dog Registration form.
Banana Shire Council offers free reciprocal registration, meaning if your dog has current valid registration in another shire, please supply your registration certificate when submitting your registration form with Banana Shire Council.
Replacement registration tag
If your tag is lost or damaged, a replacement tag can be obtained from Council by paying a small fee.
Prohibited/Restricted Dogs
You must not keep a restricted dog unless Banana Shire Council has issued you a restricted dog permit.
The following breeds are restricted dogs:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
If you own or are considering taking ownership of any of the above dogs, please Contact Council.
Working Dog Registration
Working dogs are required to be registered with Council, and upon approval are exempt from registration fees.
To be eligible to register a Working Dog with Council, the animal owner must meet the below criteria.
The definition in the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 states a Working dog is: a dog usually kept or proposed to be kept:
- On rural land; and
- by an owner who is a primary producer, or a person engaged or employed by a primary producer; and
- primarily for the purpose of droving –
- protecting, tending, or working stock; or
- being trained in droving, protecting, tending, or working stock; and
Primary Producer - means a person primarily engaged in the occupation of:
- dairy farmer; or wheat, maize, or cereal grower; or cane grower; or fruit grower; or grazier; or farmer, whether engaged in general or mixed farming, cotton, potato, or vegetable growing or poultry or pig raising; and
- b) includes a person engaged in primary production.
Please refer to the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 for a full definition
To apply for a working dog, please complete the Registration of Working Dog(s) form.
All cats and dogs are required to be microchipped once they reach 12 weeks of age as outlined in the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
When you sell or give away a dog or cat, it is the responsibility of the person selling the animal to ensure it is microchipped before it is passed on to the new owner. Owners that have dogs and cats that are not microchipped risk incurring fines.
A microchip is an identification device that is implanted under the animal's skin, it is approximately the size of a grain of rice. Implanted by an approved implanter, the microchip causes no discomfort or pain to your pet and should last a lifetime. Owner and pet details are required by law to be updated as they change.
To update your pet's microchip details, please refer to petaddress.com.au
To purchase a microchip, complete the following form and pay the associated fees at one of Banana Shire Council Customer Service centers in Biloela, Moura, and Taroom. If your dog is impounded, it will be microchipped before it is released. Otherwise, you can contact one of the following veterinary clinics or the Council compliance team to get the microchip implanted.
List of local vet clinics:
Moura Veterinary Clinic
17 Theodore Road, Moura Qld 4718
P: 07 4997 1403
Dr. Sandy Mobile Vet Services
P: 0429 357 228
E: sandysmithvet@gmail.com
Callide Valley Veterinary Clinic
26 Gladstone Road, Biloela Qld 4715
P: 07 4992 1814
E: admin@callidevalleyvet.com
Taroom Vets
29 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom Qld 4420
P: 07 4627 3130
E: admin@taroomvetsurgery.com
Permitted Animals and Quantities/Number of Pets/Animals Permitted
In line with Banana Shire Council Local Laws, in a town or village zone, no more than two (2) dogs and cats may be kept on any property, unless a permit has been approved and issued by Council. To apply for an additional animal permit, complete this Additional Animal Permit Form. An approved permit will allow up to and including 4 dogs on a property. If you are considering keeping additional dogs or cats, please refer to the Allowed Animal Types and Numbers Fact Sheet.
Banana Shire Council is committed to ensuring members of the public are safe when in the community.
If the matter is life-threatening or a victim requires medical attention, please contact 000 immediately
Every year, there are many dog attacks reported to Banana Shire Council. Owners must take precautions to avoid their dog attacking or causing fear to another person or animal. Owners are responsible for their pet's actions.
Dog attacks are legislated under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
Council takes all dog attacks seriously.
Dog attacks should be reported to Council by phoning 4992 9500 (during 8.00am-5.00pm week days) and 0448 701 140 (afterhours = weekends and Public Holidays, 5.00pm -8.00am weekdays).
Dog attacks can occur between dogs, other animals, and humans. When a dog attack occurs, it can have significant health implications resulting in physical or psychological damage for the injured person or animal.
Council provides a service to respond to complaints of dog attacks and aggressive dogs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact Us.
As a result of a dog attack complaint, Council will investigate the nature and factors relating to the incident and take appropriate action under State legislation: Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. These actions could include but are not limited to, regulating a dog as either dangerous or menacing, issuing fines, seizing the dog, or placing a destruction order on the offending animal.
Dogs can show aggressive behavior for a variety of reasons. If your dog shows signs of aggressive behavior, Council suggests you consult with your veterinarian or pet behaviouralist to explore appropriate solutions before aggression results in an attack.
Here are some helpful articles:
- How to speak dog, RSPCA
- Aggression, ASPCA
- Aggressive Dog Training Tips: Calming The Beast, Canine Journal
For more information on declared dangerous or menacing dogs under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
How does Council respond to a dog attack?
- A Compliance Officer will contact the complainant to confirm the details of the attack and discuss the complaint process.
- The Officer will then attempt to locate the property where the dog resides, and inspect the dog’s enclosure and ensure the offending dog is secured.
- The Officer will speak to the dog’s owner at the earliest opportunity. If the dog cannot be secured and poses an immediate threat to public safety, the Officer may seize and impound the dog until the owners can be contacted/enclosure is deemed suitable.
- The complainant can choose to provide evidence including:
- a statement of the incident
- a comprehensive list of any witnesses (name/contact number/address)
- any photos taken of injuries
- any medical/veterinary reports and receipts.
- The Officer will contact the alleged offending dog owner to 7inform them of the complaint, the severity of the outcome, and offer them the opportunity to provide a formal statement.
- Pending the complaint and surrounding factors, there is a range of investigations that the officer will use to compile an investigation report and make recommendations based on the available evidence and investigation findings.
- Possible outcomes to an investigation can include:
- directions to improve an enclosure through the use of a compliance notice,
- Penalty infringement notices (fines),
- A proposal to declare the dog/s menacing or dangerous under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, and/or
A destruction order of the offending animal/s under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008