Dog ownership in Meander Valley
Dogs are great companions, but owning a dog does come with some responsibilities. It is important that you, your pet and the community remain safe and our public spaces can be enjoyed by all.
In Meander Valley, dogs must be kept in accordance with the requirements of:
Dog owners are expected to adhere to the following:
• Register and microchip dogs aged six months or older, unless exempt.
• Keep dogs securely housed and contained.
• Always ensure dogs wear their Council identification tags.
• Provide necessary veterinary care, adequate food, water and exercise.
• Take reasonable action to prevent nuisance behaviours.
• Ensure effective control of dogs is maintained in public places.
• Clean up after their dogs.
On the spot fines can be issued if you fail to keep your dog under effective control in a public place, your dog is not registered, does not have a micro-chip or is found to be at large.
Need to renew your dog's registration?
Update your dog's details
If your dog has been desexed, passed away, your contact details have changed, or you want to cancel your registration or apply for a discount or concession, you can update your details here.
Your dog must be under effective control at all times. On a road or footpath in a city or town your dog must be on a lead. The lead must be less than two metres long and you must be of sufficient age and strength to control the dog.
If your dog is off lead in a public place it still must be under effective control at all times and you are required to:
• Keep you dog in sight and within close proximity
• Demonstrate satisfactorily to an authorised person that your dog will immediately respond to your commands.
Dog faeces cause environmental harm when washed into waterways. They also transmit disease and can harbour E-Coli bacteria which can cause ongoing illness. Respect others by always cleaning up after your dog when in a public place. Use a scoop and a plastic bag and place faeces in the nearest bin. Green dispensers containing dog tidy bags are located throughout the municipality.
Under the Dog Control Act 2000, you must apply for a Kennel Licence if you intend to keep:
• More than two (2) domestic dogs over the age of six months
• Four (4) or more working dogs over the age of six months
A kennel license must be renewed each year.
If you find a stray dog, contact Council on 6393 5300
If the dog has a registration tag, Council can contact the owner. If the dog cannot be identified or you cannot hold the dog, Council's Rangers will arrange for the dog to be collected.
There are a number of ways that anyone with concerns about the welfare of an animal can report it confidentially. You can call the National Animal Cruelty Hotline on 1300 139 947. Details taken are passed on to the Tasmanian RSPCA for investigation.
Alternatively, you can send an email to: reportit@rspcatas.org.au or you can report it online. Your details will remain strictly confidential.
Barking dogs can be a difficult issue to deal with as every situation is different.
The Act specifies a barking nuisance as a noise that consistently occurs or continues to such an extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any premises or public place.
Barking Complaints Will Follow a Structured Response:
- In the first instance, residents should contact the owner of the dog directly to resolve the problem, as this is proven to be the most effective approach and also assists in maintaining neighbourhood harmony.
- If unable to resolve the issue of a barking dog directly with the owner, then the Council should be notified. The Council may elect to contact the dog owner to discuss their dog’s behaviour and make suggestions as to how owners can remedy any problems.
- A person may make a formal complaint to the Council; this must be lodged on the Council’s official complaint form and the appropriate fee must be paid. Any fee paid will be refunded in the event that a complaint is substantiated.
- In response to a formal complaint, the Council may require the person making the complaint to keep a record of instances for a period of not less than 14 days (or otherwise determined by the Council). In considering this action, the Council will have regard to any other collaborating evidence. The Council will then determine the appropriate response.
Our natural places are too special not to share with our canine companions. We know that a well-exercised dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog is less likely to cause a nuisance. That’s why we’ve created spaces where dogs can run free, explore, and enjoy the outdoors with their humans.
Dog exercise areas
 Alveston Drive, Deloraine (part of Deloraine Community Complex site) – fenced. Also accessed from Rickman Street, Deloraine. |  Pitcher Parade, Prospect Vale (to the east of Wetlands area) – fenced. |
 River Reserve, between Foote Street and Browne Street, Hadspen – fenced. |  Westbury Town Common, Mary Street, Westbury – un-fenced. |
 Prospect Vale, Lomond Views Private Open Space, off Chris Street, Prospect Vale – fenced. |  UNDER DEVELOPMENT - Moore Street (off the corner of Mary Street), Westbury – fenced. |
Dog restricted areas
 Prospect Vale Park, Harley Parade, Prospect Vale - playing surface of sportsgrounds. Dogs restricted from entering at all times. |  Westbury Recreation Ground, Franklin Street, Westbury – playing surface of sportsground – dogs restricted from entering at all times. |
 Deloraine Recreation Ground, Racecourse Drive, Deloraine – playing surface of sportsground – dogs restricted from entering at all times. |  Bracknell Recreation Ground, Louisa Street, Bracknell – playing surface of sportsground – dogs restricted from entering at all times. |
 Hadspen Recreation Ground, Clare Street, Hadspen – playing surface of sportsground - dogs restricted from entering at all times. | |
Deloraine Riverbank and Wild Wood – restricted area (on-lead)