How to make dog and stock complaints and what details are needed.

All complaints regarding dogs or stock are received by the Animal Control Department and all the necessary details are recorded.

Dog Complaints

Please include the following details:

  • Your name (as complainant), address and daytime telephone number (this information is confidential).
  • The dog's address
  • The dog's description
  • A description of the problem including dates and times of occurrences
  • Whether you are prepared to make a statement or appear in court.

If all the details are not provided Council may be limited in the action we can take. This particularly relates to the absence of a dog's address as the most effective way of dealing with a problem is to contact the dog owner directly.

Where a dog has bitten or rushed at a person the complaint is actioned within two hours. The primary concern is that the dog is secured quickly to prevent further incidents and a statement is taken from the victim. The Officer will then discuss action to be taken with the complainant.

Stock Complaints

Wandering stock can cause traffic accidents. Any stock sighted out by the public results in immediate diversion of officers to secure them back off public land.

Complaints laid about animals to the Police are duly passed to Animal Control to be actioned.

Details required are:

  • Your name (as complainant), address and daytime telephone number (this information is kept confidential)
  • The stock description
  • A description of the problem including the time and place

Please phone our 24 hour line in the first instance.