Council’s new pet poo plan

By Tania Martin
TIE up your dogs and lock up your cats because the Shire of Yarra Ranges has a new animal control law.
The council last week adopted a new law which replaces the 1996 local law.
It has extended the requirement for dog owners to dispose of their pet’s excrement in public places to include all animals, not just dogs.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said this particular rule was close to her heart because she is sick and tired of seeing animal dropping on nature strips.
Cr Dunn said it was also good to see the issue of keeping cats locked inside at night time addressed.
She said there are too many people who let their cats out to roam at night and are putting the shire’s flora and fauna at risk.
Penalties for people failing to comply with the law have also been increased from $100 for a first offence to $200.
Shire chief executive officer Rob Hauser said this is in line with recent guidelines from the State Government.
Mr Hauser said although the old animal control law had worked well for many years, the changes to the new law are aimed at fine tuning and updating the law.
“The Animal Control Law plays a key role in ensuring animal owners do the right thing by the community and by their animals,” he said.
“It is based on a common sense approach that respects the rights of people to own animals while ensuring the amenity and quality of life of the public are protected.”
People can view the new law at one of the shire’s community link offices in Monbulk, Upwey, Lilydale, Yarra Junction and Healesville.