Responsible Pet Ownership
Dog safety starts with you. Take the lead in responsible dog ownership
Environmental Services and Rangers have raised concern over the frequent dog attacks happening in Hedland, with incidences climbing from previous years. This is having a significant effect on the Town’s resources as well as overall community safety.
Feeling safe in our community is a basic right, and the Town is committed to creating safe public spaces, streets and surroundings.
As a dog owner, you have the first and foremost responsibility of keeping your dog safe. This includes making sure they don't get out of their backyards or enclosures, as well as making sure they are registered and microchipped.
Even if your dog is registered, and found wandering, every person liable for the control of that animal at the time may be issued an infringement for failure to provide means of effectively confining a dog.
If you own a pet, you have a legal responsibility to keep it under control, either within a fenced areas on your property or on a leash when in public.
As the owner of person in charge of a pet, a modified penalty may apply for not having your pet on a leash, or for allowing it to roam.
Dog safety tips for a safe community -
- Make sure your backyard is fenced and sealed: Check for any areas where dogs may be able to dig their way out or climb onto something to jump out. Make sure gates and doors are locked.
- Have your dog registered with the Town: If your dog happens to leave your home, and someone finds them - we can look up our system and get in contact with you to return them safely.
- Report and address aggressive behaviour or escaped dogs to our Rangers: They're here to help and can promptly prevent future incidents from happening to other dogs and members of the community. By reporting to our Rangers, you’re doing your part to keep our community safe.
- Make sure your dog is on a leash when you're walking them: You may incur a penalty of $200 for a dog being off-leash, and these penalties increase substantially if an unleashed dog attacks another animal or person. These Penalties can rise into the thousands of dollars.
What classifies a dog attack:
The Dog Act 1976 does not differentiate between attacks on humans or animals. However, the Act classifies an attack as:
(a) aggressively rushing at or harassing any person or animal; or
(b) biting, or otherwise causing physical injury to, a person or an animal; or
(c) tearing clothing on, or otherwise causing damage to the property of, the person attacked; or
(d) attempting to attack, or behaving in such a manner toward a person as would cause a reasonable person to fear physical injury
Dogs Barking
You are responsible for ensuring that your dog is not creating a public nuisance by barking excessively. A modified penalty may apply for allowing your dog to bark persistently.
If taken to court, the fine could be up to $2000.
Please consider the impact of your dog's behaviour on your neighbours.
How many dogs can be kept at one property?
Each household is allowed to keep: no more that two dogs over the age of three months. All dogs over the age of three months must be registered with the Town of Port Hedland. If you wish to keep more two dogs you must first apply to the Town of Port Hedland.
At what age must I register my dog?
All dogs over the age of three months must be registered with the Town of Port Hedland, whether they are sterilised or not. Dogs being registered for the first time must also be micro chipped before they can be registered. All currently registered dogs must be micro chipped.
Penalties may apply for offences against the Acts/Regulations & Town Local Laws.
| Having an unregistered dog |
$200.00 |
| Failure to ensure dog is micro chipped |
$200.00 |
| Dog in place without consent |
$200.00 |
| Dog not held by a leash in public |
$200.00 |
| Dog causing nuisance (can be issued daily) |
$200.00 |
| Keeping more than the prescribed number of dogs (can be issued daily) |
$200.00 |
Dog Exercise Areas
- Spoil Bank (Port Hedland) - Past the shipping containers
- McGregor Street Reserve dog park, Port Hedland
- Marquee Park, South Hedland
- Marie Marland Reserve: Temporary off-leash dog park - permanent facility to be established as part of the South Hedland Integrated Sporting Complex Masterplan
Scoop the Poop!
Dog droppings are a source of annoyance to other users of footpaths and recreation areas. The Town of Port Hedland has local laws that require the person in charge of the dog to remove their dog's droppings and adequately dispose of them.
Diseases and Parasite Control
The owner of a dog shall take all reasonable precautions against that dog becoming infested by tapeworms or other parasites. The majority of diseases that can be found in your pet can be avoided by a vaccination.
Dogs to Wear Collars and Tags
If a dog is found in a public place not wearing a collar and tag, even if that dog is registered, every person liable for the control of that dog at the time commits an offense.
Name and Address to be supplied
Under the Dog Act 1976, a person who is in control of a dog is required to provide an officer or authorised person with his or her full name, address or current place of residence and date of birth whenever requested. Dog Act 1976, S43A
Failure to Effectively Confine a Dog
Even if your dog is registered, and found wandering, every person liable for the control of that animal at the time may be issued an infringement for: Failure to provide means of effectively confining a dog.