Public input sought on pet plan

THE City of Greater Bendigo is seeking contributions from the community for its new Domestic Animal Management Plan.

Pet owners and non-pet owners have been asked to complete the survey which includes questions relating to demographics of pet owners, desexing of cats and dogs, faeces management, off and on-lead areas, cat curfews and dog attacks.

City of Greater Bendigo safe and healthy environments acting manager Jock Schofield said the management plan is a requirement Domestic Animals Act 1994 and must be updated every four years.

“The new plan will build on the achievements and work from the first three plans and establish a framework to guide future service programs and actions through to 2025,” he 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.”

More than two thirds of Victorian households own a pet and Mr Schofield said it is important to get feedback from all members of the community to help “minimise the nuisance and potential danger created by some dogs and cats”.

“Some of the initiatives that have come from previous plans include the creation of new dog parks and the introduction of a cat curfew between dusk and dawn,” he said.

Information from the survey will be used to develop a draft plan which will then be available for public feedback.

The survey is available until the end of July at bit.ly/2UuclSS.