BYRON SHIRE pet owners can now access the new public website NSW Pet Registry and keep their pet’s details up to date.
Byron Shire Council’s sustainable development manager, Wayne Bertram, said current pet details helped ensure that microchipped pets are returned quickly to their owners.
Mr Bertram said recent checks by Council officers out in the field showed that a significant number of pet owners had not microchipped and registered their pets.
“A person could find they are liable for a $275 on the spot fine for each incident of non-microchip and non-registration of their pet.
“Plus we are seeing a number of pet owners, when they are out walking and or cycling, with the dogs not on a lead. It’s a costly walk if you get fined $220 for not having your dog on a lead,” he said.
Many people believe it is okay to allow their dogs to roam, but Mr Bertram cautioned that due to public safety concerns, it would not be tolerated and an on-the-spot fine could be issued.
There are eight off-leash exercise areas in Byron Shire from Suffolk Park Beach in the south, through to South Golden Beach in the north. Dog owners are also reminded that their dogs must be kept on a lead when being walked to and from an off-leash exercise area.
“Out of date pet registration details are common and result from when owners move. In the past, pet owners needed to go into a vet or Council to update.
“The new pet registry means you can update your microchipped pet’s details quickly online and not have to make a special trip to a vet or Council,” he encouraged.
- Microchipping helps identify the animal and registration links the animal to the owner.
- Owning a pet and not having it microchipped and registered, can result in a fine being issued.
Responsible pet ownership – how can you help?
- Ensure your dog is wearing a collar and identification tag
- Ensure you have control of your dog when it is off its leash in a designated off-leash area
- Keep dogs out of National Parks and nature reserves
- Beach Dog Exercise areas are restricted to the Intertidal zone only
- Keep dogs out of the dunes and dune rehabilitation areas
- Don’t let your dog chase shorebirds.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead when being walked to and from an off-leash exercise area.
- Dogs are prohibited from the area in or within ten (10) metres of the children’s play equipment.
From 18 July 2016 the following fees applicable to Companion Animal registrations:
- Desexed animal: $53 (from $52)
- Non-desexed animal: $195 (from $192)
- Recognised Breeder: $53 (from $52)
- Animals purchased for eligible pound or shelter: $26.50 (from $26)
- Eligible Pensioner with desexed animal: $22 (from $21).
The Byron Shire off-leash dog exercises areas.
The off leash exercise areas are:
- Tallow Beach: From a point adjacent to Jarman Street, Suffolk Park, extending in a northerly direction to the boundary of the Arakwal National Park. (Restriction: Intertidal zone only)
- Main Beach to Belongil Beach: From a point adjacent to Manfred Street, Belongil, extending in an easterly direction to a point on the western side of Main Beach car park and including Cavanbah Reserve.
- Suffolk Park: Public Reserve, Beech Drive.
- Brunswick Heads: Brunswick Heads access from a point 20 metres south of the Brunswick Heads Surf Club, extending in a southerly direction for 400 metres to the boundary of Tyagarah Nature Reserve. (Restriction: Intertidal zone only. Access from adjacent to the Brunswick Heads Surf Club only).
- New Brighton Beach: From a point 50m north of the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve boundary and extending northward to a line adjacent to Ocean Avenue. (Restriction: Intertidal zone only)
- South Golden Beach: From a point adjacent to Gloria Street, South Golden Beach, extending in a northerly direction to the Billinudgel Nature Reserve. (Restrictions: Intertidal zone only. Access via Gloria Street).
- Mullumbimby: Heritage Park, Mill Street, Mullumbimby. From opposite Gordon Street to opposite Stuart Street. (Restrictions: Companion animals are prohibited from the area in or within ten (10) metres of the children’s play equipment.)
- Bangalow: Part of the Community land at Ashton Street Bangalow. The area bounded by Deacon Street, Ashton Street and Byron Creek. (Restrictions: Companion animals are prohibited from the area in or within ten (10) metres of the children’s play equipment).
Note: Beach Dog Exercise areas are restricted to the Intertidal zone only with dog owners requested to keep their dogs off the dune and dune rehabilitation areas.
Infringements / On-The-Spot fines
- Dogs not micro-chipped – $275.00
- Dog not registered – $275.00
- Dog not wearing collar and ID tag – $165.00
- Dog not on lead – $220.00
- Dog in prohibited place – $330.00
- Defecate and not removed – $275.00
Register your pets at the NSW Pet Registry – https://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au