Am I a responsible dog owner

CHOOSING AND TRAINING A DOG.

• Have I chosen the right breed and size dog suitable for my property? (Not one that needs to run a lot when I live in a unit)
• Have I considered how the dog will fit in with my lifestyle? If I work long hours and have no time for walks or activities, what sort of life will it have? When I travel– who will look after it?
• Have I trained and/or socialized my dog to be friendly towards other dogs and people and not aggressive?
• Have I trained and/or socialized my dog to be calm when meeting other dogs and people, not to be over excited and jumping all over them?
• Do I give my dog plenty of daily exercise, and not leave it locked or chained up all the time?
• Have I registered my dog, had it micro-chipped (prior to reaching 6 months of age), de-sexed and vaccinated?

Out and About

• Do I understand the term “effective dog control in a public place”? This is when my dog is in a public place (only those that have been designated as ‘off lead’ areas in accordance with a Dog Management Policy), and is to be restrained on a lead of no more than two meters in length.
• Do I use a lead at all times on a public street or footpath in a town?
• Do I have the registration tag on the dog’s collar?
• Have I considered placing a tag with dogs name and a contact phone number on the collar, just in case?
• Do I carry a doggie bag when in public?
• Do I know where to find Council doggie bags?
• Do I pick up after my dog at all times.
• Have I considered how inconsiderate it is to leave a doggy mess for someone else to step in or clean up?
• Do I realize that even though I know my dog, it does not mean that others will have the same comfort around its potential behavior?
• Do I understand that not all people are “dog” people, some people are afraid of dogs, and I need to take this into account when out and about particularly when the dog is off the leash?
• Have I considered that children and young people, are often afraid or intimidated by dogs. Sometimes simply the size of a dog bearing down on them can be terrifying.
  

WHERE MY DOG IS NOT ALLOWED OR PROHIBITED

This also includes these George Town municipality locations:

• George Town Cemetery
• Penguin Rookery except within the Low Head Road Reservation
• Wildlife Sanctuary, from North Esplanade George Town to the South end of Lagoon Bay, with exception of the walking track where dogs must remain on lead at all times.
• Weymouth - The triangular section of bush land located North of Major Street and East of Smith Street
• Hillwood Football oval
• Lefroy Cemetery
• Alford Cemetery Pipers River
• National Parks, Reserves and Foreshores, unless signposted otherwise.

OFF Lead Dog Exercise Areas

I can also take my dog to the following OFF LEAD DOG EXCERCISE AREAS

• Monument public reserve (south of Cimitiere Street)
• York Cove and Rivulet parklands (excluding the playground and walking track)
• Bark Park, dog park at the Sports Complex in Marguerite St
• East Beach, east of Cimitiere Creek.
• Beechford Recreation Ground (south of tennis court only)
• Hillwood grassed area on corner of Hillwood Jetty Road and Craigburn Road (not yet fully developed, but a good open paddock for a run)