Help make pet plan pawfect

PEOPLE with pets – and those without – are being asked to comment on the City of Greater Bendigo’s new Domestic Animal Management Plan and the review of a local law related to the subject.

Residents have until Friday 30 May to complete a survey on both topics on the City’s Let’s Talk platform. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.

The management plan will be the fifth the City has produced under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requirements and will be in effect from this year to 2029.

The Keeping of Animals Local Law 2 has several clauses relating to domestic pets and must be reviewed every 10 years under the Local Government Act.

“The new plan will build on the achievements and work from the first four plans and establish a framework to guide future service programs and actions through to 2029,” City of Greater Bendigo safe environments manager Jock Schofield said.

“Companion animals have been part of our lives since recorded history with dogs and cats playing an important role in the daily lives of many Greater Bendigo residents.

“Therefore, it’s vital for the City to undertake the necessary planning to ensure that pets, pet owners and non-pet owners can coexist in a harmonious way.

“That is why we want to hear from both pet owners and non-pet owners so we can undertake initiatives to complement pet ownership and also actions that help minimise the nuisance and potential danger created by some dogs and cats.”

Mr Schofield said previous plans had resulted in initiatives such as the creation of new dog parks and off-leash areas, and new cat containment rules.

He said the first step in developing the new plan is to gather community feedback through a survey.

“This information will be used in the development of a draft plan which will also be available for further community comment,” Mr Schofield said.

The survey includes questions in relation to demographics, responsible pet ownership and education, registration and identification of cats and dogs, desexing of cats and dogs, and dog faeces management.

Other topics include the keeping of animals local law, cat control, dog attacks, and nuisance animals and enforcement.