Council To Review Dog Fees

December 7, 2022

South Burnett councillors have admitted they failed to explain clearly to residents living on rural residential blocks why their dog registrations had risen.

Speaking at Council’s Liveability, Governance and Finance Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, Cr Kathy Duff said she was concerned the rise – which brought fees for desexed dogs on rural blocks into line with fees paid in town areas – had caused “reputational damage” to Council.

The increase, voted on in June, was the first step of a planned move to equalise dog registration fees paid by town residents and those living on small acreages.

Cr Duff moved a motion that Council “revisit” dog registration fees, citing posts on Facebook as evidence of community outrage at Council “whacking up” the fee for rural residential dog owners from $10 per desexed dog a year to $33.

Cr Duff said people were struggling in the community, living in caravans with dogs as their only companions.

She urged the collection of fees – which has already begun – be put on hold until the charges were “revisited”.

Cr Jane Erkens said she believed that, from comments on Facebook, “a huge percentage” of residents living on small acreages would simply not register their dogs now, while others would struggle to pay the increased fee.

CEO Mark Pitt said Council staff at the front counter had unfairly worn the brunt of criticism.

“Some of the people who have come in have been quite abusive,” he said.

He said this was not acceptable and would never be tolerated.

However, in some cases the criticism had lessened when people realised there was a pensioner discount available.

In the past, there had been no pensioner discount on rural residential dog registration fees because the $10 charge was less than the pensioner fee.

When people realised the annual pensioner discount fee was $16.50 not $33.00, some of the issues at the front counter had been resolved.

“If you are a pensioner in these rural areas and have a dog, then bring your card in because we don’t necessarily have you on the system,” Mr Pitt said.

Cr Kirstie Schumacher said the current fee structure had been implemented after lengthy discussions about the operational cost to Council of running its dog management services, an increase in community expectations about a response to dog complaints, and the increased cost of paying the RSPCA to run the pound.

“This decision was a very difficult decision … but as part of our Budget discussions I am very happy to review every fee and charge,” Cr Schumacher said.

Cr Scott Henschen said some fees had actually decreased, for example in town areas, the fee for undesexed dogs went from $170 down to $131, and for desexed from $66 to $33.

Manager Peter O’May said registration fees only recouped about the quarter the cost of running the dog management service.

He said the rationale of the increase was trying to create “equity” between dog owners in town areas and in rural residential areas.

Mr O’May pointed out that registering entire dogs (ie. undesexed) was still half the cost in rural residential areas than in town areas.

He said the time to pay had also been extended until January 20 but admitted there had been no specific media communication about the increases.

Councillors voted to revisit the registration fee applying to dogs in rural residential areas through the provision of a special report encompassing comparative fee data, cost of service and an appropriate community consultation and communication strategy at the March 2023 Standing Committee meeting.

The communication strategy would occur as soon as possible.

In the meantime, however, residents will still have to pay their dog registration fees.

• Related article: Council Puts Bite On Rural Pets

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SBRC’s Dog Registration Fees

TOWN AREAS

• Entire Dog – $131.00
• Entire Dog – Pensioner – $65.50
• Desexed Dog – $33.00
• Desexed Dog – Pensioner – $16.50
• Puppy (under 6 months) – $33.00
• Puppy (under 6 months) – Pensioner – $16.50

RURAL RESIDENTIAL (ie. Small acreages)

• Entire Dog – $65.50
• Entire Dog – Pensioner – $32.75
• Desexed Dog – $33.00
• Desexed Dog – Pensioner – $16.50
• Puppy (under 6 months) – $33.00
• Puppy (under 6 months) – Pensioner – $16.50

NON-DEFINED AREA (ie. Farms)

• Working Dog – Tag Cost Only – $10.00
• Entire Dog – $28.00
• Desexed Dog – $10.00
• Pensioner – $10.00
• Puppy (under 6 months)  – $10.00

OTHER

• Assistance Dogs for the Blind / Deaf  /Companion – No Charge
• Breeders and Show Dogs Permit – $295.00
• Declared Restricted / Menacing / Dangerous Dog – $200.00

  Council