The City of Bayswater has moved to strengthen enforcement of dog control, with the council approving a new $200 infringement penalty for owners who fail to comply with directions to provide a suitable enclosure for their dogs.
Council Vote Unanimously Supports Amendment
At the city’s meeting on Tuesday night, council voted unanimously in support of the officer recommendation to give rangers the power to issue the fines. The penalty applies to residents who fail to comply with a written direction issued by an authorised officer asking a dog owner to construct or provide an adequate enclosure within the timeframe provided by the officer.
Current Enforcement Limitations
As it stands now, this offence can only be addressed through prosecution. However, the amendment will now allow rangers to issue immediate infringement notices instead. Council officers argued the change would bring the provision into line with similar containment-related offences already covered by infringements, such as failing to provide means to contain a dog.
Practical Compliance Tool
The change will provide rangers with a more practical compliance tool to penalise residents who continue to not adequately secure dogs on private property, despite being directed to do so. The $200 penalty was described as proportionate to similar offences under the existing local law.
Next Steps
Now approved, the amendment will go to public advertising for feedback. Residents and stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide their views before the new fines are formally implemented.
