The coastal strip and the townsites of the Shire are covered by this Act, which prevents the use of vehicles in off-road areas generally. Penalties for offences are high and offending vehicles can be impounded. If in doubt about where you can ride or drive in a specific area, please contact the Shire Ranger’s Department on 08 9729 0350. Top All landowners have a responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Bush Fires Act are met and fire breaks or removal of flammable material is completed to ensure compliance with the Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act. Installation of firebreaks and removal of flammable material from properties within the Shire of Harvey must be completed before 30th November each year and be maintained until 26th April in the following year. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines and additional costs associated with doing the required work and the penalties faced by those who do not comply. More importantly, you may be placing your property, or your neighbours’ property, in danger of fire damage. Top The State Emergency Service is available to assist residents in times of emergency or disaster. Lost persons, storm damaged property and major bush fires are some of the occurrences attended. Contact local Police - Harvey 08 9729 1001, Yarloop 08 9733 5001, Australind 08 9797 0222. Harvey Volunteer State Emergency Service Manager is Bruce Withnell - 08 97291488. Australind Volunteer State Emergency Service Manager is Bloo Hoare - 9797 1102. Top Responsible dog ownership Identify, register and attach a collar and identification tag. Contain your dog safely on your property. Prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the number of dogs being destroyed every year by desexing your dog. Prevent anti-social behaviour - TRAIN - SOCIALISE - EXERCISE and provide enough activity and a suitable environment for your dogs breed. Always supervise young children in the presence of your dog. Protect native animals - Keep your dog inside between dusk and dawn. Going on holidays? Pets need more than just food and water so make sure the arrangements for your dog are suitable. Fireworks and dogs don't mix - Make sure your dog is housed safely and securely contained on your property. Rehoming a dog? - Make sure you are rehoming under the guidelines of the Act. Never buy a dog unless you can provide a home for life.
Top Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and a long-term commitment. Animal shelters are often full of dogs that have become uwanted pets. So before you go any further, it is important that you are sure you are ready to accept the responsibility of owning a dog. Do you own a home with a fenced yard? Can you afford to provide food and veterinary care (for maybe 15 years or more)? Is it possible you may only be attracted to a puppy or will you continue to provide for a dog that may not remain cute and as playful? Can you provide several hours per day training, entertaining and exercising your dog? Can you afford to provide food, desexing, vaccinations, registration and professional training and any other unforeseen expenses? Have you consulted with all members of your household?
Top Certain breeds may require excessive grooming, exercise or training needs so it is important that you choose a breed to suit your lifestyle. Obtaining information on most breeds is usually as easy as visiting your library, surfing the internet or speaking with a registered breeder or veterinarian. As mentioned before, many dogs become unwanted pets and not through any fault of their own, so consider adopting a dog from an animal shelter or animal welfare agency. The perfect dog could be waiting for a new home! Top If you have seized a dog: - Contain the dog safely
- Provide water
- Check the dog for identification and contact details (Contact owner or your local Council during business hours immediately).
- Deliver injured or sick animals to your nearest veterinary clinic
If you cannot reunite the animal with it's owner directly then you must arrange for the animal to be sheltered by your Council. Shire Rangers will collect stray and lost dogs found in the Shire of Harvey between 8am and 4pm. Phone Customer Service in Harvey 08 9729 0300 or Australind 08 9797 1090. Advise that you have found a dog, provide an accurate description and the location where the dog can be collected. Arrange for a Ranger to collect the dog and provide your address and contact phone number. Top - Contact Ranger Services here
Dogs can travel great distances, so check with other Councils. Click here to see a list of impounding facilities in this region.
Provide an accurate description of your dog, particularly if he or she is a crossbreed. Colour, gender, age, identifying marks, breed and microchip number
Check that your pet's registration details are current and correct.
Check garden sheds, garages, under the house etc. and ask your neighbours to do the same.
Check surrounding streets, places that you may frequent with your dog, such as unleashed areas, friends & neighbours
Check with veterinary clinics. Often, seized dogs will be taken to a veterinary clinic. Remember to check with the vets in your area, not just your closest clinic.
Refer to the lost & found column in your local papers and consider placing an advertisement.
Top Dog licences are renewable on 1st of November each year and may be renewed for either 1 year or 3 year periods. Fees | | One Year $ | | Three Years $ | | Pensioners | | Dogs Used For Droving Stock Only | | | | | | | | | | Unsterilised | | 30.00 | | 75.00 | | 1 yr 15.00
3 yrs 37.50 | | 1 yr 7.50
3 yrs 18.75 | | | | | | | | | | | Sterilised Dogs | | 10.00 | | 18.00 | | 1 yr 5.00
3 yrs 9.00 | | 1 yr 2.50
3 yrs 4.50 | | | | | | | | | | | Kennels | | 50.00 and all dogs must be registered. |
Dog licence fees may be paid at the Council Offices in Harvey and Australind. Top Council may issue a nuisance order if your dog is found to be repeatedly: Roaming the neighbourhood Making a noise Defecating on other peoples property Chasing a person, animal or vehicle Causing damage to property
Canine noise pollution is one of the most irritating canine behavioural problems, annoying both dog owning and non-dog owning members of the community. Top Dogs bark for a reason and dogs that bark habitually suggest that something is not quite right. Some breeds will bark more than others, however, the most common causes of excessive barking are: Boredom and loneliness Confinement and isolation Lack of exercise and activity Separation anxiety Specific stimuli eg.people or vehicles passing by the property, other dogs or native wildlife A health problem
In many cases, excessive barking will occur during the owner's absence and more often than not, the owner can be oblivious to the problem. With this in mind, a friendly approach should be taken. By placing a note in the dog owners letterbox, you will hopefully avoid a kerbside confrontation and also if the problem remains unresolved, Council Rangers will investigate the complaint in order to evaluate the situation. The dog owner will be required to take immediate action to resolve the problem and in most cases will be given time for any measures to take effect. However, if the problem is found to continue, the dog owner may be subject to further action by Council or civil action by the complainant. Owners should search for the cause and take immediate action to improve the situation. Research the needs of your dogs breed, consider obedience classes, increase activity, exercise and the time that you spend with your dog. Helpful advice and assistance obtained by a dog trainer or veterinarian is recommended. Top Under the Act, owners may be responsible for any injury or damage caused by your dog if it attacks a person or animal. If your dog attacks, regardless of whether the attack occurs on your own property or any other place, you may be liable and ordered to take additional steps to control your dog, have your dog declared "dangerous", be ordered to have your dog destroyed or banned from owning a dog. The Companion Animals Act recognises that a dog may be provoked into attacking. This includes a situation where a dog is being teased or treated cruelly, a dog responding to an attack on its owner or member of the owners family, or a dog responding to a trespasser. If this is the case, the measures in the Act will not apply. However, if a person deliberately encourages a dog to attack another person and cause injury, very serious penalties apply under the Crimes Act. You may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 7 years and/or fined up to $110,000. Top
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