Animal Management

• If your dog or cat is three months or older, it must be registered with the local government of the area.
• All cats and dogs over 12 weeks of age must be microchipped.
• Your animal is not to create a nuisance to others, such as barking and/or behaviour that may cause fear to a person or another animal.
• Your animal must not wander off your land without being under a persons effective control.
• You must walk your animal on a lead when in a public place.
• If your animal defecates in a public place you must clean up and dispose of in a sanitary manner.
• Ensure the general welfare of your animal at all times.
• Microchip appropriately if you are selling or giving your animal to another person.

Authorised officers are appointed by Council to control animal management issues within the region.

Such officers are authorised to:

• Seize and impound animals wandering at large.
• Declare dangerous dogs.
• Investigate complaints including nuisance and dog attacks.
• Issue notices and fines (SPER) to identified non-compliant animal keeper/carer.
• Issue destruction orders in accordance with Local Law/Legislation.
• Entry onto land in certain circumstances.
• Educate community members through special events, education material, school visits.

After hours emergency animal control situations are to be reported on 1300 007 662. Please note this phone number is strictly for after hours emergencies only i.e. aggressive dogs, restrained wandering dogs, dog attacks and roaming stock in the town area.

Reporting a Dog Attack Fact Sheet​

All complaints relating to other situations such as barking dogs, unrestrained wandering dogs etc will be dealt with on the next working day.

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare issues are of a great concern to Council, however we do not have any jurisdiction over animal cruelty or complaints about animal welfare.  All of these types of matters need to be raised with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Animal Welfare.  Council do however work closely with this Department and assist wherever possible.  To find out more on Animal Welfare or how to report a concern please visit the links below.

For more information please visit:

• Biosecurity Queensland -Biosecurity Queensland, a service of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is the government's lead agency for animal welfare activities in Queensland. They develop, monitor and enforce animal welfare policy, legislation and standards, and educate the community about animal welfare.
• Animal welfare complaints - Information regarding Animal welfare complaints and how to report them.
• RSPCA - The RSPCA is a community based charity that works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. The Maranoa does not have a local center however, resources can be viewed and services accessed from the webpage.

Other Handy Links :

• Department of Environment and Heritage Protection - Department of Environment and Heritage Protection cares for nuisance, sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and relocate them to other areas.
• BooBook- BooBook are local consultants and experienced in ecology, species identification, trapping and handling native wildlife and environmental management.
• Queensland Health- The rules for animals in outdoor dining areas are outlined under the Queensland Food Act 2006. Visit Queensland Health website.

Microchipping

The Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 requires all dogs and cats from 12 weeks of age to be microchipped.  By taking this measure you will have a lifetime of traceable identification for your pet.

How microchipping works

A microchip (about the size of a grain of rice and with its own unique number programmed into it) is injected under the skin around your pet's shoulder area. It is a simple procedure which causes no side effects.

This microchip can be read simply by passing a scanner over your pet's skin. The scanned number is then checked against the State's microchip registry, which provides details of each pet's owners and registered contact details.

Once your pet is microchipped, you will receive a certificate of identification from the licensed microchip registry, which contains your contact details. It is important to check the information on this certificate and make sure you update the registry if your residential or contact details are incorrect and/or change.

If you are unsure of which agency your pet microchip is registered or would like to search for your details you can visit Central Animal Records for more information

Desexing

Spaying or neutering your pet offers lifelong health benefits, reduces your animals urge to roam and can result in improved behaviour, and unwanted litters.

Council encourages the desexing of all pets and offers discounted registration fees for cats and dogs that are desexed.

The table below provides guidelines as to the type and number of animals that can be kept in the Maranoa Regional Council Area.  Please note some animals are prohibited.

Standards for Keeping Animals

For more details on keeping of local animals please contact council or refer to the applicable Local Law. 

Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011​

Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 

Pet owners must ensure their animals do not harm humans, the environment or cause nuisance at any time.  The number of animals you may keep depends on the size and location of your property.  Before choosing a pet, council urges you to seek advice as restrictions do apply.

Fencing & Enclosures

Pet owners have a duty to provide proper fencing and enclosures to prevent their pets from wandering.  The enclosure must prevent the animal from escaping over, under or through it.  In the Maranoa it is mandatory to keep pets contained within your property.

Wandering pets are in danger of getting lost, injured or killed.  They can damage and be a nuisance to neighbouring properties, wildlife and other domestic animals as well as cause traffic accidents.  Dogs can also attack people, other animals and especially other dogs.

Effective Control of Dogs

Dogs are naturally inquisitive and enjoy new experiences, sights and smells.  As a responsible dog owner you are required to walk or exercise your dog on a leash, and to ensure it does not cause nuisance or injury to humans, or other animals.  Do not forget it is your responsibility to clean up or pick up after your dog.

The number of dogs you may keep without approval is dependent on block size or if you live in a multi-residential premises.  This applies to dogs over the age of 3 months old except working dogs.​

On allotments with:

• an area less than 2500m2 – 2 (two) dogs
  (up to four dogs can be kept with council approval)
• an area between 2500m2 – 4000m2 – 3 (three) dogs
  (up to four dogs can be kept with council approval)
• over 4001m2 and less than 40000m2 – 4 (four) dogs
• greater than 40000m2 – 5 (five) dogs

On multi-residential dwelling/s – 1 (one) dog only may be kept (over 1 dog requires council approval)

Approval is required to keep more than:

• two dogs over three months of age on an allotment less than 2500m2 (maximum 4 dogs)
• three dogs over three months of age on an allotment between 2500m2 and 4000m2 (maximum 4 dogs)
• four dogs over three months of age on an allotment between 4001m2 and 40000m2
• five dogs over three months of age on allotments greater than 40000m2  OR
• one dog over three months of age on a multi-residential premises (i.e. unit) (maximum 2 dogs).

Applications will only be approved in extraordinary circumstances such as:

• Death or serious illness of a family member
• Member of a family moving into a retirement or care facility that does not allow dogs
• Unforeseen circumstances necessitating a move on to a smaller block or into the designated town area.

     
      Application Process

To apply, complete the relevant application form. Forms are available by contacting Council on 1300 007 662, visiting a nearby Customer Service Centre or downloading here. ​

Step 1: Application Submission

A fully completed application form is to be lodged with council, along with the relevant fee and mandatory information.  It is important to note that all dogs must be microchipped and registered prior to submitting the application and if you are not the owner of the premises where the dogs are to be kept, you will require the owners written consent.

If the mandatory information is not supplied or the application fee is not paid your application will not be processed.

Step 2: Application Assessment

Council will assess your application against the relevant requirements.

If Council requires further information to decide the application, you will be notified in writing outlining the required information and when it must be received by Council.  If the information is not received within the required timeframe, you may be required to make a new application.

An inspection of your premises and dog enclosure will be undertaken to ensure all requirements of the Local Laws are met.  Your dogs and enclosure will be photographed.

Step 3: Decision

You will be notified of the decision in writing.  If approved, an annual renewal is required.

Please allow approximately 6 – 8 weeks for your application to be processed. If further information is requested, this timeframe may extend.

All dogs must be on a leash at all times when in public places, except in designated off leash area.  If your dog is found wandering at large or not on a leash in a public place you may be fined.

Roma's off leash dog park is located at Shady's Lagoon just near the Charles Street Entrance to the Adungadoo Pathway.

Please download our brochure for more information on the Roma Dog Park and a handy location map.

• Roma Off-Leash Dog Park Brochure

Roma Dog Park Rules

To keep our Dog Park safe and fun please remember:

• Dogs must be registered and have up-to-date vaccinations
• Remember that off-leash does not mean out of control
• Please keep your dog under control
• Dogs must be leashed while entering & exiting the park
• Clean up and place waste in the bins provided
• Owners are legally responsible for the behaviour of their dog at all times
• Council is not responsible for injury or damage; enjoy at your own risk.
• All children under 16 must be with an adult
• Declared Menacing & Dangerous dogs, puppies and dogs on heat are NOT PERMITTED in this area.​​

Council has been provided with a guide from RSPCA about Keeping Your Cat Safe & Happy at home, click here to download your guide.

The Queensland Government has introduced new laws that will promote the responsible breeding of dogs.

The laws require all persons giving away, supplying, selling, or advertising dogs or puppies to have a unique identifying number (Supply Number) that identifies the registered breeder of that dog. The laws apply only to dogs born on or after 26 May 2017. Dogs born before this date are not impacted.

Any person with a female dog with a litter is a breeder. The laws apply to people who are professional breeders, occasional breeders, and to people who are not making money from the dogs or puppies supplied. The laws apply to occasional, accidental or planned litters.

Fact Sheet - Buying or Obtaining a dog

Fact Sheet - Breeding Dogs in Queensland

Fact Sheet - Breeding Working​ Dogs in Queensland

Council hires cat and dog traps to residents experiencing difficulties with domestic and feral cats and dogs straying on to their property and causing a nuisance.

Traps are hired at no charge from Council for up to a 14 day period. On hire a trap agreement is required to be completed by the hirer. It is recommended to contact Council prior to picking up the trap to check on availability.

Residents can phone Council to organise the collection of a trapped cat or dog, however this collection service is not available after 5pm on weekdays, on weekends or public holidays.
 
Council does not issue traps for the purpose of trapping possums, which is prohibited. Possums are a protected native animal and a permit is required for their trapping.
 
For more information please download the guidelines of use of a cat/dog trap.

Barking Dogs in our Community

Choosing the Right Pet

Barking Dogs Information For Owners

Children and Dogs

Keeping Your Pet Cool This Summer

Animal Trap Guidelines and Instructions

Going on Holiday

Barking Dogs Complainant

Reporting a Dog Attack

Preventing a Dog Attack

Responsible Cat Ownership

Working Dogs

Pets and Disaster Safety

Responsible Dog Ownership

• Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011​
• Subordinate Local Law No. 1.5 (Keeping of Animals) 2011​
• Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 
• ​Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 
• Animal Management Act (Cats and Dogs) 2008
• Local Government Act 2009
• ​Animal Management Act (Cats and Dogs) 2008
• Local Government Act 2009
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992​​