WHEN most people think about council services their attention turns to the three Rs – rates, roads and rubbish.
And while these are major elements of council’s core business, we have long been a leader in advocating for responsible pet ownership.
Pets are an important part of people’s lives and contribute to their wellbeing and the provision of companionship in many homes and families throughout our city.
We want to ensure our community is living harmoniously whether you’re a pet owner or not. With more than 50,000 dogs and nearly 10,000 cats registered across the city it is clear pet ownership is important to many residents.
Research suggests pets make a positive contribution to our lives – whether it is teaching children responsibility, as a companion animal or in my case where adult children have moved out of home and the animals fill an empty nest.
Whatever the reason, there is an important responsibility that comes with owning a pet. Council promotes responsible pet ownership and has zero-tolerance for dogs being kept in a way that might compromise the safety of the community.
Any person who allows their dog to attack people or animals risk facing strict animal-keeping restrictions, fines and prosecution.
In the interest of increased public safety, Logan City Council is actively advocating for changes to Queensland Government legislation.
Council is one of only several local governments which have been invited to sit on the state government Animal Management Taskforce.
This taskforce was established by Minister Mark Furner to reform the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, to promote greater levels of public safety through legislative reform relating to dangerous dogs and the way in which they are managed in the community.
The construction of council’s new animal management facility in Kingston is well underway. The redevelopment will deliver a modern and customer-focused facility to help maintain council’s position as a leader in animal management and a driver of responsible pet ownership for many years to come.
Council is committed to meeting the needs of a growing city through delivering excellent levels of care to lost and abandoned pets and the new centre will help us achieve that.
Keep an eye out for council’s new Animal Management Strategy. A key focus of this plan will be on driving increased public safety through tougher consequences for negligent pet owners.
Through all these initiatives, the community should feel assured that Council is working towards maintaining a safe and healthy environment for people and their pets.
Pets: Doing things right
