• If animal control services are adequate
• Outline programs for training of authorised officers to properly administer and enforce the Act
• Programs to:
  • minimise potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance
  • encourage registration and identification of dogs and cats
  • address over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats
  • minimise risk of dog attacks
  • effectively identify and manage all dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs
  • promote and encourage responsible pet ownership
  • assist community to understand the obligations of responsible pet ownership
• review existing orders and Local Laws
• review other matters related to the management of dogs and cats
• the evaluation of the Domestic Animal Management Plan

Councils are required by the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (the Act) to prepare a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) every four years. The DAMP guides the management of cats and dogs, outlining key issues and objectives, and actions and programs to undertake in the next four years.

On the City of Greater Bendigo Website via this link Domestic Animal Management Plan | City of Greater Bendigo

A broad cross section of the Bendigo community - animal owners, non-animal owners, people who use public spaces, sporting and user groups and other stakeholders will all contribute a unique perspective to the new plan.

The DAMP will set the priorities, actions and programs in areas such as:

• Promotion and encouragement of responsible pet ownership of cats and dogs.
• Ensuring that people comply with the Act, the regulations and any related legislation.
• Minimising the risk of attack by dogs on people and animals.
• Addressing any over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats.
• Encouraging the registration and identification of dogs and cats.
• Minimising the potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance.
• Effectively identifying all dangerous dogs, menacing dogs, and restricted breed dogs in that district and ensuring that those dogs are kept in compliance with the Act and the regulations.
• Providing for the review of existing orders and local laws with a view to whether further orders or local laws are required to manage cats and dogs in the municipality.

The focus of the DAMP is on the management of cats and dogs only. While other matters related to other animals such as livestock, or wildlife these matters fall either Local Laws or other regulations.

Feedback from non-pet owners in the community will ensure the DAMP meets the needs of the community. Whether you’re a pet owner or not, there are topics covered in the DAMP such as minimising the potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance, minimising the risk of dog attacks or the management of dogs in public spaces which may impact you as a resident in Greater Bendigo.