INGLEWOOD and Texas pet owners are being reminded to restrain their animals in public amid an increase in council patrols.
Goondiwindi Regional Council (GRC) is urging residents of the region to be responsible animal owners in the wake of a recent court decision on the Sunshine Coast, which saw a 68-year-old tourist slapped a $15,000 fine after his German shepherd attacked an 81-year-old pedestrian.
GRC mayor Graeme Scheu said the case showed penalties for failing to appropriately control animals could be hefty and reflected the general community’s mood that animal owners needed to take more responsibility for their pet’s actions.
“Goondiwindi Regional Council has recently increased the length of time that animal control officers will be patrolling to include some early mornings and late evenings, to ensure that owners are meeting their obligations,” Cr Scheu said.
Council’s manager of building and regulatory services Phil Gall said the increased patrols were not a revenue-raising exercise.
Officers will also undertake out-of-office hours patrols and more visits to inspect the arrangements for dogs already declared as menacing or dangerous in accordance with legislation.
A local dog owner who ignored council’s fines and advice was recently procecuted in the local magistrate’s court, resulting in significated court-imposed fines.
