Infringements
There are many local laws relating to the control of cats, dogs, parking, littering and off road vehicles where infringements may apply for non-compliance. Please read below for further details or alternatively you can click on the quick links to be taken to a particular area of interest.
Cats
The Shire of Ashburton has a "Local Law Relating to the Control of Cats". No more than two cats over the age of six (6) months are permitted on properties within the Shire unless in a registered cat pound or with special permission of the Council. If you currently have more than two cats you should contact the Shire office immediately to find out what you need to do.
New cat laws require that all cats be microchipped, desexed and registered. More information regarding the laws can be found here.
The Shire Ranger can impound a cat, however if your cat is identified then the Ranger will notify you. There is a $20 impounding fee and $5 per day sustenance fee, which must be paid prior to the release of the cat.
If you have a cat problem at your residence you can set a trap on your own property, but not on someone else's unless they agree to it. If you have a stray cat problem or trap a cat you must contact the Shire Rangers immediately. It is recommended that you not undertake trapping of cats unless you advise the Shire Ranger so they can assist you.
If you do not comply with the local law, an infringement can be issued and you could face further penalties.
Dogs
If you own or have a dog it is your responsibility to ensure that all laws relating to dogs are strictly adhered to and that your dog is kept under proper control at all times. Unfortunately, many dog owners DO NOT adhere to such laws and as a consequence many dogs are found wandering, overturning rubbish bins, fouling lawns and public areas, creating a nuisance and chasing other animals, cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
For more information regarding Laws for Responsible Dog Ownership click here
Dogs in public places must be maintained under effective control. In order to ensure that dogs do not wander at large, a Council local law has been adopted placing responsibility on the occupier of premises where dogs are kept to maintain certain fencing and gate requirements.
No more than two dogs over the age of three months may be kept at the one property. Permission to keep more than two dogs may be granted by Council in some cases.
Dogs are not to be permitted in public buildings or places where food or drink is prepared or exposed for sale to the public. However, under Council's local law, dogs are permitted on sports grounds, car parks etc. provided the dog is leashed or harnessed.
The State Government has amended the Dog Act to allow Councils to declare individual dogs "dangerous" for offences such as attacking or repeatedly rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals. Once a dog is declared dangerous, it will be muzzled at all times in a public place.
Section 30(2) of the Dog Act 1976 states:
"All dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered and have a collar bearing a disc with the owner's name and address and a current registration tag."
Maximum Penalty $500
Section 31(3) of the Dog Act 1976 states:
"All dogs must be on a leash, no longer than two metres in length, when in a public place"
Maximum Penalty $1000
Dog attacks
Dog attacks are considered serious offences and as such owners of dogs involved in attacks will be prosecuted.
Section 33D of the Dog Act 1976 states:
"If a dog attacks or chases any person or any animal owned by or in the charge of another person, whether or not any injury is caused, every person liable for the control of the dogs commits an offence."
Maximum Penalty $10, 000
Section 33D of the Dog Act 1976 states:
"A person should not set or urge a dog to attack or chase any person or animal owned by or in the charge of another person whether or not injury is caused."
Maximum Penalty $10,000 or 12 months imprisonment
Penalties - Impounding
If your dog is found wandering and is impounded by Council's Rangers, the minimum fee payable to have your dog released from the pound is $50. This is made up of an impounding fee $40 and sustenance fee of $10 per day (or part thereof.). Should you be issued with an infringement notice then additional costs will be incurred. All fees must be paid prior to the release of the dog.
If the dog is UNREGISTERED, the owner will have to register its dog prior to its release.
You can only get your dog from the pound, at the following times, seven days per week:
| Tom Price |
|---|
| Monday - Friday |
9.00am to 9.30am
3.00pm to 3.30pm |
|---|
| Saturday & Sunday |
8.30am to 9.00am
3.00pm to 3.30pm |
|---|
| Paraburdoo |
|---|
| Monday - Friday |
8.30am to 9.00pm
3.30pm to 4.00pm |
|---|
| Saturday & Sunday |
8.30am to 9.00am
3.30pm to 4.00pm |
|---|
| Onslow |
|---|
| Monday - Friday |
9.00am to 9.30am
3.30pm to 4.00pm |
|---|
| Saturday & Sunday |
8.30am to 9.00am
3.30pm to 4.00pm |
|---|
| Pannawonica |
|---|
| Monday - Friday |
As required |
|---|
| Saturday & Sunday |
As required |
|---|
Dog registration
All dogs must be registered and the registration tag must be attached to a collar on the dog. To register a sterilised dog a certificate from a veterinary surgeon must be produced as proof of sterilisation. The registration fees are as follows.
NB: Pensioners are only required to pay half the below mentioned rates.
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Unsterilised dog |
1 year $30 per dog |
|---|
| Unsterilised dog |
3 years $75 per dog |
|---|
| Sterilised dog |
1 year $10 per dog |
|---|
| Sterilised dog |
3 years $18 per dog |
|---|
Dog exercise areas
Dog Exercise Areas, prescribed in Council's local law, are available for inspection at Council offices. Dog owners are able to let their dog run free in the prescribed areas as long as they are capable of controlling the dog and are carrying the animal's leash.
Parking
The Council has a parking facilities local law. Please ensure that you obey the parking signs located in the towns within the Shire. Some parking bays are set aside for people with disabilities. Only drivers with an ACROD sticker on their car are allowed to park there. To obtain an ACROD sticker you must speak to your local doctor.
Litter
Public rubbish bins are not to be used for domestic or commercial waste. It is an offence to dispose of household or commercial waste in bins designed to take small individual items of litter.
Affixing unauthorised publicity material, wilfully or accidentally setting fire to, or altering the proper appearance of public rubbish bins is subject to a fine of up to $1000.
Dumping rubbish in bushland is also an offence and carries further penalties for offenders who fail to remove the litter within a given time. The Shire's waste disposal sites have set aside areas for certain kinds of waste. Should you dispose of litter in an area not set aside for waste, this is also an offence under the Litter Act.
You are not allowed to dump rubbish in waterways, rivers, lakes and oceans and such actions can incur a fine. Littering also includes garden material such as branches, piles of dirt and rubble that is left on road verges.
Dumping of shopping trolleys outside the boundaries of a shopping centre is also considered littering.
When taking rubbish to the tip it is important that you secure the load and ensure that it is covered. It is an offence to tow a trailer that has an uncovered or improperly secured load. Securing and covering the rubbish will also prevent it from escaping and being left along the roadway.
Off road vehicles
An off road vehicle is a vehicle which is not licensed under the Road Traffic Act. This means that ordinary vehicles – including four wheel drives – registered for on road use are not affected by this legislation.
Under the Control of Vehicles (Off Roads) Act, all off road vehicles must be registered at the police station. The cost of registration is $12 per vehicle and all vehicles must comply with prescribed safety and noise standards. Off road vehicles can only be used in specified areas within the Shire or on private land at the owner's or occupiers expense.
Children under eight years of age are not allowed to drive off-road vehicles except on private land where the owner's or occupiers consent has been given.