Dogs

• All dogs over the age of six months must be registered and microchipped (unless exempt under Section 15A(2)(b)of the Dog Control Act 2000).  Registration must be renewed by 31 July each year.
• The owner of a dog must notify the general manager in writing within 14 days of the dog’s death, loss, removal, the transfer of the dog to another municipal area or change of ownership of the dog to another person.
• Only two dogs or up to four work working dogs can be kept on a property without a kennel license, please contact Council for further information, or to apply for a kennel license.
• You must have the means on the property to contain the dog(s) on the property.  Fines apply for dogs at large and/or dogs not under effective control.
• Dogs must be walked on a lead on any road related area, this includes pathways, nature strips and unsealed roads. 
• Dogs must remain under the effective control of the owner or person in charge of the dog at all times.  This also includes when exercising your dog in a designated off-lead area.
• The owner or person in charge of the dog(s) is responsible for cleaning up after the dog(s).
• With the exception of Guide dogs and hearing dogs, all dogs are required to wear a collar with registration tag attached when in a public place.
• If your dog is impounded, every effort will be made to return the dog home if it has the prescribed identification, (current registration and microchip), and if someone is on the premises.   Impound fees are charged and an Infringement may be issued for any offences committed. 

The Animal Management Officer regularly patrols all urban towns and areas, and an afterhours service is available in case of an emergency (ie dog attack).

fees for 2024/2025

Dog Entire                                                                                       $48.00

Dog Desexed                                                                                  $38.00
(Vet certificate or statutory declaration required)       

Greyhound/Working Dog/Purebred Dog                                  $38.00
(Certification required, GRT, ABN, TCA) 

Dangerous Dog/Restricted Breed/Guard Dog declared         $110.00
(Declared by General Manager pre June 2024)

Dangerous Dog/Restricted Breed/Guard Dog                         $750.00
(Declared by General Manager post June 2024)

Guide Dogs/Hearing Dogs                                                          No Charge

Pension Concession/Health Care Card - 50% discount off one dog only.

REPLACEMENT TAG FEE

Replacement of Registration Tag                      $12.00

KENNEL LICENCES

Kennel Licence Application Fee                        $150.00
Advertising                                                           $350.00
Kennel Licence Renewal Fee                             $70.00

Impounding Reclaim Fees

Impounding Fee(per animal)                            $38.00
Feed/Care  Fee (per day per animal)               $18.00
Formal Notice of Complaint Fee                      $70.00

Dog Registration - Licences and Permits

Southern Midlands Council commenced issuing lifetime tags as of 1st July 2017 for your dog’s registration. These tags are a small metal stainless steel disc with your dog’s unique registration number and councils contact number on one side, with the other side blank for you to engrave your contact details if you choose. Once your dog is registered and you have your lifetime tag, in subsequent years, all you need to do is pay the relevant registration renewal fee each year, much like registering your car.  If you lose or damage your lifetime tag, replacement tags are available through council, a replacement fee applies.

All fees payable under the Dog Control Act 2000 will be determined by the Council (s 80 Dog Control Act 2000). The schedule of fees will be set annually prior to the end of May in each year and will be in line with the financial year, i.e. 1st July to 30th June.

Fees subject to this section include:

• Registration fee
• Formal notice of complaint
• Licence applications and renewals (Division 7)
• Impounding reclaim fee
• Impounding maintenance fee
• Replacement tag fee

In addition to setting a schedule of fees, Council will also determine categories of dog registration, discounted registration fees and the required evidence in order to claim a discounted registration fee.

Refund of registration fees will only be provided for dogs that have died or those that have been de-sexed in the current year of registration. Any refund provided is on a pro-rata basis as at the time application.

The Southern Midlands Council will transfer dog registrations from other Tasmanian Councils at no cost to the dog owner, provided the registration is for the same registration period. However a tag fee will apply.

The Southern Midlands Council is committed to encouraging the responsible ownership of dogs within its municipal area. To achieve this, it will enforce its responsibilities set out in the Dog Control Act 2000 as well as the Dog Control Amendment Act 2009 and abide by its commitments set out in its Dog Management Policy.