Other Animals
Other information regarding the management of animals in the Lachlan Shire Council:
- Snakes
- Barking dogs
- Impounding stray animals
- Identification and registration information
- Swooping magpies
Snakes
Australia has some 140 species of land snake, most of which are venomous, although only 12 species have the potential to be fatal. The most dangerous snakes belong to the front-fanged group, which in NSW, includes the tiger snake, brown snake, death adder, mulga, or king brown snake and a few species of sea snake. Some of these snakes also call the Lachlan Shire home.All native snakes in in NSW are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
Further information regarding Australia’s snakes can be found on the NSW Government Environment and Heritage website.
Information on the removal of snakes is available here:
Who can remove a snake from my house or garden?
Barking Dogs
Dogs bark for a number of reasons, but regardless of the cause, the result is often a nuisance to neighbours and can impact the quality of life for those affected. The following procedures are provided as a guide for preventing problems associated with a barking dog.
If you have a barking dog nuisance, Council suggests that you first approach the owner of the dog, as he they may not be aware that a nuisance exists. In most cases, owners want to do the right thing and will cooperate.
If this is unsuccessful, please contact Council’s Planning and Environment Department on 02 6895 1950. Council’s Ranger will investigate the problem and take appropriate action.
More information regarding neighbourhood noise disturbance can be found on the NSW EPA website or Information for Dog Owners NSW.
Impounding Stray Animals
All pet owners are responsible for the effective control of their pets. All pets must be microchipped and registered. Failure to do so constitutes an offence under the Companion Animals Act 1998 which may attract a penalty.
Council’s impounding service may collect and hold stray animals. The collection service operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am - 5.00pm. Animals are held for the following statutory periods before being destroyed:
- Registered dogs - 14 days;
- Unregistered dogs - 7 days;
- Stock – 7 days then held at the discretion of Council
Lachlan Animal Shelter is generally open between the hours of 9.00am - 11.00am weekdays.
All impounded dogs and cats are to be registered before release. The current release fees for impounded cats and dogs are:
- First offence – $23.00
- Second and subsequent offence - $39.00
- Sustenance per day $10.00
- Micro-chipping fee - $62.00
- Registrations – $51.00 for desexed animals and $188.00 for non desexed animals.
To report stray animals, contact the Planning and Environment Department on: 02 6895 1950.
Identification And Registration Information
Dogs
Dogs must be microchopped and registered.
Cats
Cats owned before 1 July 1999 need to be identified by either:
- A microchip;
- A collar and tag (giving at least the name of the cat and the address or telephone number of the owner); or
- Identification in some other approved manner.
Cats born or change owners after 1 July 1999 must be microchipped and registered.
How do I register my dog or cat under the new system?
Before registering your pet, it must be microchipped. This can be done at your local vet. Registration is then to be made at Council’s Administration Centre, 58-64 Molong Street, Condobolin NSW 2877.
Please ensure your bring a copy of the microchipping form with you when registering your pet.
Registration costs for cats and dogs:
- Un-desexed animal - $188.00
- Desexed animal (with verification papers) - $51.00
- Pensioner’s Desexed animal (with verification papers) - $20.00.
Change of Details
The Companion Animals Act 1998 requires that any change or owner or details in regards to the change of address or contact information of an animal must be notified within 14 days of the change. This is necessary, even if the animal is moving from NSW to another state as this requirement helps to rack lost or stolen animals.
Forms can be collected from the Planning and Environment Department and must be signed by the ‘old’ owner. If the old owner cannot sign, the form must be accompanied a proof of sale.
Additional Information
Information for Cat Owners in NSW
Information for Dog Owners NSW
Dogs in Rural Communities
Restricted and Dangerous Dogs in NSW
Contact Details
Swooping Magpies
Magpies are protected throughout NSW under the National Parkes and Wildlife Act 1974. It is an offence to kill magpies, collect their eggs, or harm their young.
Council has no powers to authorise or carry out the destruction of magpies and cannot discharge a firearm in the town limits.
For most of the year, magpies are not aggressive, but for four to six weeks during their nesting season, they will often defend their territory vigorously. People walking past may be seen as intruders on their territory, prompting the magpies to flow low and fast over the person, clacking their beaks as they pass overhead.
The experience of a magpie attack can be quite alarming, but it is usually only a warning.
Only occasionally will a bird actually strike the intruder on the head with its beak or clawes. If this unusual behaviour continues, there are ways of reducing the risk of physical injury:
If a magpie swoops at you:
- Walk quickly and carefully away from the area, and avoid walking there when magpies are swooping;
- Try to keep an eye on the magpie while walking away carefully. Magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them. Alternatively, you can draw or sew a pair of eyes onto the back of a hat, and wear it when walking through the area. You can also try wearing your sunglasses on the back of your head.
- Wear a bicycle or skateboard helmet. Any sort of hat, even a hat made from an ice cream container or cardboard box, will help protect you.
- Carry an open umbrella, or a stick or small branch above your head, but do not swing it at the magpie as this will only provoke it to attack.
- If you are riding a bicycle, get off it and wheel it quickly through the area. Your bicycle helmet will protect your head, and you can attach a tall red safety flag to your bicycle or hold a stick or branch as a deterrent.
- Make a temporary sign to warn other people.
IF you feel a magpie is a risk to public safety that cannot be adequately controlled by using these measures, you should report the matter to the nearest National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) Office who may issue a licence for the destruction of the bird.
The NPWS office is under no obligation to arrange for the destruction of a bird in a public place, cannot obligate police to destroy the bird and is not responsible for meeting the cost of a pest controller or licensed bird trapper.
NSW Police are the only body with powers to discharge a firearm within a residential area. Police are not obliged to carry out magpie destruction.
For further information regarding the management of Magpies during the breeding season, click on the link to the NSW Environment and Heritage
Brochure on Magpie Season: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/TheAustrlianMagpie.htm
Contact Details:
- NSW Environment and Heritage - NPWS - Forbes Office – 02 6851 4429
- NSW Environment and Heritage - 1300 36 1967
- Lachlan Shire Council Planning and Environment Department – 02 6895 1950
