Dog Ownership and Management

Microchipping is a permanent method of being able to identify dogs. The chip is very small (about the size of a grain of rice) and is inserted between the shoulder blades of the animal by a vet, vet nurse, or person with the relevant qualifications.  

Microchipping your dog makes it easier for you to be reunited if they were to get lost. Any Ranger or vet can scan the microchip to access your contact details. If your dog is impounded and they aren’t microchipped, you may also be liable for a fine. 

Under the Dog Act 1976, it is mandatory for all dog owners to microchip their dog if it is over three-months-old. You may be fined up to $5,000 if you do not comply.  

You may apply for an exemption if your dog has a vet certificate stating that implanting a microchip may adversely affect the health or welfare of your dog. If this is the case, you must provide a copy of the certificate to the City. 

Sterilising your dog is the simple answer to prevent unwanted litters — and sadly, thousands of unwanted dogs are dumped and destroyed every year. Aside from that, registration is cheaper for sterilised dogs and there are associated many medical and behavioural benefits with sterilisation. For more information, contact your local vet. 

If your dog is already registered with the City and has recently been sterilised, you may be eligible for a partial refund of the unsterlised registration cost.  

Dog Sterilisation Refund Form

Barking complaints are common. Dog owners are often not aware their dog barks, they may have higher tolerance levels, or they do not see it as a problem. 

Visit Dog Ownership Barking Information for more details on barking including council processes and owner responsibilities. 

Understanding the causes and possible solutions:Swipe to see more Further tips on how to manage excessive barking can be found online at the PetCoach. For more information, contact your vet or an animal behaviorist. 

Dog boredom busters 

• Bustercube®: available at most pet shops and some vet clinics. This is a cube puzzle with different chambers in it. You fill it with dry food and your dog will knock the cube around until the food has been eaten. Quite advanced toy but great for dogs who have graduated from easier ones. 
• Treatball: similar to Bustercube but a ball shape. Available in a few sizes but have found dogs with strong jaws can break them on occasions. Not quite as hard as Bustercube® for dogs. Available at most pet shops and some vet clinics. 
• Kong toy: a great toy for all dogs and good investment as they are practically indestructible. With their unusual shape they are great as a throw toy and even better as a treat holder. Fill it with your dog’s favourite treats and it will keep them occupied for hours. Try putting in peanut paste and then dry food. It sticks to the inside and lasts longer.  Also great in summer, yogurt or other treats can be frozen inside the Kong, taking longer to get out. 
• Empty drink bottles: a cheap and easy way to keep your dog amused. Simply rinse out and leave to drain. Remove the lid and the plastic ring around the top of the bottle. Once dry, divide your dog’s dry food portion into two or three bottles. You can vary the size and shape of the bottles to give the dog more or less of a challenge. You may have to knock the bottle around a few times so that some food comes out and your dog gets the hang of it. Most dogs catch on very quickly. As they get better at it, divide the food into more bottles, or maybe graduate to something like a Treatball or Bustercube. 
• Ice blocks: these are better in summer, but most dogs are happy to give them a go anytime. Simply rinse out empty milk containers and open the top. Put in anything your dog may like, such as table scraps, peanut paste, dry food, canned food, pig noses and ears, chew bones, raw vegies, etc. Then fill with water to around three quarters full and maybe add a stock cube for extra flavour. Place in the freezer overnight and then tear off the milk carton and give to the dog. Small plastic containers from takeaway food and empty margarine containers are ideal. 
• Treasure hunt: hide small piles of food (10 bits of dry food) in your garden and backyard, in areas that you want your dog to go in. Dogs love sniffing out food. Note: this may not be advisable if you have a wasp or bee problem in your area. 

Source: Dog Boredom Busters 

The City treats attacks very seriously and investigates all reports of dog incidents or attacks.  

If you or your dog are involved in a dog attack, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately if required, and then contact the City’s Rangers on 9411 3444. 

To assist with the investigation, try to obtain as much information as you can. This includes: 

• Description of the dog or dog owner, including physical features, clothing, their vehicle, and what direction they came from/went 
• Your dog’s description 
• Witness information/statement 
• Photos of any injuries sustained 
• Location, date, and time of incident 
• Medical and veterinary documentation (if applicable). 

If a dog attacks a person or an animal the owner or person in control at the time may be held responsible. The number and severity of reported dog attacks is constantly monitored. 

Please note: City Rangers are unable to assist in any recovery of costs associated with a dog attack. Customers may pursue this issue as a civil action between the parties involved. 

Declared dangerous dogs 

The City may declare an individual dog as dangerous if: 

1. the dog has caused injury or damage by an attack on, or chasing, a person, animal or vehicle; or 
2. the dog has, repeatedly, shown a tendency:

• to attack, or chase, a person, animal or vehicle even though no injury has been caused by that behaviour 
• to threaten to attack. 

Owners of dogs declared as dangerous must comply with the requirements of the Dog Act 1976 or face penalties, including fines. 

Dangerous dogs - restricted breeds 

The Dog Act 1976 and the Dog Regulations 2013 provide information on dangerous dogs (restricted breeds). Under the Dog Act a dangerous dog (restricted breed) is defined as a breed whose import into Australia is prohibited. Please see the WA Rangers Restricted Breed Dogs information for a list of current restricted breeds in WA.  

You must follow legislative requirements for keeping a restricted breed dog which includes mixed breeds. 

If your dog excretes anywhere that isn’t on your property, you must remove and appropriately dispose of it. The City of Cockburn has installed waste bins and dog poo bag dispensers at many park locations to assist pet owners with appropriate disposal. 

If your local park doesn’t have these, or if your park has run out of dog poo bags, please contact the City directly on 9411 3444 or submit a service request. 

Failure to remove excreta may result in a $100 penalty. 

When registering your dog, you must make a declaration to certify that the fences and gates at your home are capable of confining your dog within your premises. Gates must also have effective self-closing mechanisms.