We have prepared the new draft Melton Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) and thank everyone who provided input.

Feedback closed: Friday 24 September 2021

The purpose of the DAMP is to provide a strategic direction for Council’s Animal Management Program for the next 4 years.

At a minimum, the DAMP must:

• set out a method for evaluating whether the animal control services provided by Council are adequate to give effect to the requirements of the Act and the regulations
  
  
• outline programs for the training of authorised officers to ensure that they can properly administer and enforce the requirements of the Act; and
  
  
• Outline programs, services and strategies which Council intends to pursue:
  • to promote and encourage the responsible ownership of dogs and cats
  • to ensure that people comply with the Act, the regulations and any related legislation
  • to minimise the risk of attacks by dogs on people and animals
  • to address any over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats
  • to encourage the registration and identification of dogs and cats
  • to minimise the potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance
  • to effectively identify all dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs and to ensure that those dogs are kept in compliance with the Act and the regulations
  • provide for the review of existing orders made under the Act and local laws with a view to determining whether further orders or local laws dealing with the management of dogs and cats are desirable
  • provide for the review of any other matters related to the management of dogs and cats in the Council's municipal district that it thinks necessary
  • provide for the periodic evaluation of any program, service, strategy or review outlined under the plan.