At the 17 July 2019 Council Meeting, Council adopted the Animal Management Plan 2019-2023.
The Animal Management Plan 2019-2023 sets out Council's programs and education over the next four years to continue to manage dogs in the rural area.
If you have a stray dog wander onto your property after hours or over the weekend and can safely contain the animal, please do so and contact Council during business hours so the dog can be collected. Friendly stray dogs that are found after hours should be taken to the nearest vet clinic that is open so they can be scanned for a micro-chip and returned to their owner. Social media can also be a useful resource if you have lost or found a dog outside of Council operating hours and may assist in re-uniting dogs with their owners.
The following Facebook pages are recommended:
- Top End Lost and Found – TELAF
- Humpty Doo and Rural Areas Lost and Found Pets
- Humpty Doo and Rural Areas Community
- Northern Territory Lost Pet Register
- Lost Pet Finders Northern Territory
General Information
Dogs are a wonderful addition to any family however it is important to understand your responsibilities as a pet owner. Dog owners are required to take legal responsibility for their dog's behaviour and actions. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Litchfield Council (Dog Management) By-laws.
Responsible dog owners rarely have complaints made regarding their dog. A dog that is well fed, exercised, has basic training and is healthy, usually does not cause a nuisance to others. All dogs kept within the Litchfield municipality must be securely contained to their own property, be on a leash when in public and be micro-chipped and registered with Council.
Council's Regulatory Services team can provide helpful advice on a range of dog related issues including containment methods, barking and/or nuisance behaviour, aggressive dogs and general dog management. You may also find the Kids & Dogs, Barking Dogs, Responsible Dog Ownership, and Tips to Keep your Dog at Home information sheets useful.
If you have lost your dog, please visit Council's Lost Dogs at Council.
Council runs incentive programs where desexing vouchers are given to Litchfield residents for their dogs, to assist with the cost of desexing. The next round of vouchers will be coming out soon, date to be announced.
If you would like further information, please call the Regulatory Services Team during business hours on 08 8983 0600.
After Hours Assistance
Litchfield Council does not provide an after-hours service.
In the case of an emergency, such as a life threatening dog attack, please contact 000. Any incidents involving dogs that occur after hours should be reported to Council the following business day so they can be investigated by the Regulatory Services Team.