New rules for dogs

FROM January 2015, Southern Downs residents will no longer need a permit for a second dog and discounts on registration fees for desexed and microchipped canines will be offered.
It comes after Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) decided to change local animal management laws to make them more practical and move in line with community expectations.
Residents will not be required to lodge a permit for a second dog unless their allotment is less than 450 square metres.
Council also vowed to streamline the dog registration process by introducing lifetime tags, opting for sturdy, durable tags to be issued to residents who will then be sent yearly or three-yearly registration reminders.
“Dog owners have another benefit as a result of council decisions and that is an offer of three years’ registration at no cost for all desexed and microchipped dogs registered in the 2015 discount period,“ SDRC environmental services manager Tim O’Brien said.
“This is an incentive to have dogs desexed and microchipped and on council’s records as quickly as possible. We will need dog owners to provide suitable proof of both procedures.“
Owners will also be able to renew their dog registrations via online payments, bringing it in line with other councils, Mr O’Brien said.