In the plan several key issues are highlighted including ownership management and the impoundment of domestic animals in the Shire.

In regards to domestic animal complaints, there was 45 reports of dog barking, 149 reports of animals wandering at large (dogs and cats) and 75 reports of cat traps during the 2020-21 period.

These statistics accumulate to a slight increase in the overall reports of domestic animal complaints to Council.

Another issues within the Shire is the instances of lost or unclaimed pets.

In the region, during 2020-21 there were 1961 registered dogs and 636 registered cats, while the total of impounded animals remained steady, with 267 detained.

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78 of them were adopted, 138 reclaimed, 45 euthanised and six died.

During the 2020-21 period nine more animals were euthanised than in 2019-20 while an extra 25 animals were reclaimed.

To help reduce these numbers the Council has identified four key areas of focus:

During the Council's meeting on Monday, November 8 they moved a motion to adopt the plan, implementing a number of local laws.

These adopted local laws include the number of animals allowed to be owned in a residential area, the number of animals allowed to be owned in a rural area and penalties for failing to dispose of animal excrement in the municipality.

The plan states that in a residential area, without a permit, an owner or occupier of premises must not keep, or allow to be kept, any animals in excess of two cats, two dogs.

Without a permit, an owner or occupier of premises in a residential area must not keep, or allow to be kept, more than four different types of animals at the premises.

Progeny of animals kept will not be considered for the purposes until they are 12 weeks of age.

Also included in the plan, without a permit, an occupier of rural land must not keep, or allow to be kept, more than four cats and four dogs.

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In regards to animal excrement a person in charge of an animal in a municipal place must carry a device suitable for the collection of any excrement from that animal and produce the device on demand by an Authorised Officer and immediately collect and dispose of any excrement from that animal into a waste receptacle.

A breach of either of these two local laws can lead to a penalty of two penalty units.

In the Council's November meeting, Cr Kevin Erwin moved the motion to adopt the plan, while Cr Lauren Dempsey seconded the motion.

In moving the motion Cr Erwin said the plan was to target several key areas of the domestic animal management.

"A four year Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) is a statutory requirement for all Victorian councils, prescribed by the Domestic Animals Act 1994," he said.

"The plan describes how council will meet its responsibilities under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and aims to support improvements in responsible pet ownership and animal welfare by focusing on seven key focus areas:

"It is a plan that details the activities that the Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) will undertake over the coming four years, in relation to the management plan for dogs, cats and domestic animal businesses. Council's existing DAMP was adopted in 2017 and expires November 2021."

For more information, visit the Northern Grampians Shire Council website.

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