{"id":"coomalie-dog-management-bylaws-2002","name":"COOMALIE (DOG MANAGEMENT) BY-LAWS 2002","slug":"coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174566,"registerId":"nt-coomalie-dog-management-bylaws-2002-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"COOMALIE (DOG MANAGEMENT) BY-LAWS 2002","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nCOOMALIE (DOG MANAGEMENT) BY-LAWS 2002\nAs in force at 30 September 2020\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Application ....................................................................................... 1\n3 Purpose ........................................................................................... 1\n4 Crown to be bound .......................................................................... 1\n5 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1\nPart 2 Administration\n6 Determinations of council ................................................................ 4\n7 Registrar .......................................................................................... 5\n8 Registers ......................................................................................... 5\n9 Matters of evidence ......................................................................... 5\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 1 Registration of dogs\n10 Requirement for registration ............................................................ 6\n11 Application for registration ............................................................... 6\n12 Determination of application ............................................................ 7\n13 Identification device ......................................................................... 9\n14 Period of registration ....................................................................... 9\nDivision 2 Licensing of premises\n15 Council may determine when licence is required............................. 9\n16 Application for licence ...................................................................... 9\n17 Determination of application .......................................................... 10\n18 Period of licence ............................................................................ 11\nDivision 3 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration and\nlicences\n19 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration or licence by request .... 11\n20 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration or licence otherwise\nthan by request .............................................................................. 11\n21 Operation of notice of cancellation etc. .......................................... 12\n\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 ii\nDivision 4 Regulatory\n22 General penalty ............................................................................. 12\n23 Fixed penalties .............................................................................. 13\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\n24 Exemptions .................................................................................... 13\n25 Unregistered dogs ......................................................................... 13\n26 Unlicensed premises ..................................................................... 14\n27 Compliance with notice or conditions ............................................ 14\n28 Offences in relation to identification device ................................... 15\n29 Dogs at large ................................................................................. 15\n30 Female dogs in oestrus ................................................................. 15\n31 Enticement..................................................................................... 16\n32 Dogs attacking or menacing persons or animals ........................... 16\n33 Dogs chasing vehicles ................................................................... 16\n34 Dogs causing nuisance ................................................................. 16\n35 Abandoning dogs........................................................................... 17\n36 Obstruction of pound supervisor etc. ............................................. 17\n37 Obstruction of officers etc. ............................................................. 17\n38 Making false statement .................................................................. 18\n39 Offence in relation to sterilisation mark.......................................... 18\n40 Selling or disposing of a dog to another person............................. 18\nDivision 2 Enforcement\n41 Seizure etc. of dogs ....................................................................... 18\n42 Dogs seized to be impounded ....................................................... 19\nDivision 3 Pounds and impounded dogs\n43 Establishment etc. of pounds......................................................... 19\n44 Notice of impounding ..................................................................... 19\n45 Release of dogs from pounds ........................................................ 20\n46 Diseased dogs ............................................................................... 20\n47 Destruction or disposal of impounded dogs ................................... 21\n48 Method of destruction of impounded dogs ..................................... 22\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n49 Sterilisation .................................................................................... 22\n50 Change of ownership of dog .......................................................... 22\n51 Dog races etc. ............................................................................... 23\n\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 iii\nSchedule 1\nSchedule 2\nSchedule 3\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 30 September 2020\n____________________\nCOOMALIE (DOG MANAGEMENT) BY-LAWS 2002\nBy-laws under the Local Government Act 2008\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation\nThese By-laws may be cited as the Coomalie (Dog Management)\nBy-laws 2002.\n2 Application\nUnless the contrary intention appears, these By-laws apply to all\nareas within the council area.\n3 Purpose\nThe purpose of these By-laws is to provide for the keeping of dogs\nwithin the council area in a manner compatible with the enjoyment\nby residents of a congenial living environment.\n4 Crown to be bound\nThese By-laws bind the Crown in right of the Territory.\n5 Interpretation\n(1) In these By-laws, unless the contrary intention appears:\nabandon includes deliberately leaving a dog at premises or failing\nto obtain the release of the dog from a pound.\nappropriate fee means the fee determined by the council to be the\nfee for a licence, registration or other matter or for a class of\nlicence, registration or other matter.\napproved means approved by the council by resolution.\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 2\nattack, in relation to the actions of a dog, means an action of a dog\nthat involves the dog rushing at, biting, chasing, menacing or\nworrying a person or another animal and, in so doing, actually\ntouching the person or animal or the clothing or other property in\nthe immediate possession or under the immediate control of the\nperson, whether or not any injury or damage occurs to the person,\nanimal or property.\ncouncil means the Coomalie Community Government Council.\ndetermined means determined by the council by resolution.\ndog means an animal of the genus Canis.\ndog-tag means a dog-tag issued under by-law 13.\nguide dog means a dog trained by a guide dog training institution\napproved by the council and used as a guide by a person who is\nwholly or partially blind or deaf.\nidentification device means a device or mark used for identifying\na dog registered under these By-laws and includes a dog-tag, tattoo\nor other approved device or mark.\nlicence means a licence granted or renewed under these By-laws.\nmenace, in relation to the actions of a dog, means an action that\ncreates a reasonable apprehension in a person that:\n(a) the dog is likely to attack the person or an animal owned by\nthe person or in his or her control; or\n(b) the dog is likely to attack another person or an animal owned\nby that person or in his or her control,\nand includes a reasonable apprehension that the dog may escape,\nor be released from restraint, to attack a person or animal.\nowner, in relation to a dog, means:\n(a) the registered owner of the dog or the person for the time\nbeing in control of the dog;\n(b) the occupier of premises or a part of premises where the dog\nis usually kept; or\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 3\n(c) if the owner has not attained the age of 17 years – a parent or\nguardian of the owner,\nbut does not include a person controlling or keeping a dog that is\nseized or impounded under Part 4, Division 2.\npound means:\n(a) a pound established; or\n(b) premises used as a pound,\nin accordance with by-law 43.\npound supervisor means a pound supervisor appointed under\nby-law 43(2).\npremises includes a building and land (whether built on or not).\npublic place includes:\n(a) a place to which free access is permitted to the public, with the\nexpress or tacit consent of the owner or occupier of the place;\n(b) a place to which the public are admitted on payment of\nmoney, the test of the admittance being the payment of the\nmoney only;\n(c) a road, street, footway, court, alley, thoroughfare or cul-de-sac\nthat the public are allowed to use, despite that the road, street,\nfootway, court, alley or thoroughfare may be formed on private\nproperty; and\n(d) land reserved under a law of the Territory for the use of the\npublic or a member of the public.\nregister means a register kept in pursuance of by-law 8.\nregistered owner, in relation to a dog:\n(a) means the person specified in the appropriate register as the\nowner of the dog; and\n(b) if the registration is not current-includes the person last\nspecified in the register as the owner of the dog.\nregistrar means the registrar appointed under by-law 7.\nveterinarian means a registered veterinarian within the meaning of\nthe Veterinarians Act 1994.\n\nPart 2 Administration\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 4\n(2) A reference in these By-laws to a dog at large means a dog (other\nthan a dog in the custody of an authorised person or in a pound) in\na place other than premises owned or occupied by the owner of the\ndog.\n(3) For the purposes of these By-laws, a dog is under effective control\nif the dog is:\n(a) restrained by a leash, cord, chain or similar device not longer\nthan 2.5 m and held by a person who is over the age of\n12 years and competent to restrain the dog; or\n(b) enclosed in a vehicle (including being in the back of a flat\ntopped, tray backed or well bodied vehicle) in such a manner\nthat no part of the dog is projecting from the vehicle.\nPart 2 Administration\n6 Determinations of council\n(1) The council may make determinations in relation to a matter or\nthing set out in Column 1 of Schedule 1 and, for that purpose, may\ntake into account a matter specified in Column 2 of that Schedule.\n(2) The council may determine the charges, dues and fees in relation\nto a dog, undertaking, service, matter or thing referred to in these\nBy-laws.\n(3) If the council, in exercise of a power or function under these\nBy-laws, whether within or outside the council area:\n(a) supplies a service, product or commodity;\n(b) grants a licence;\n(c) makes a registration;\n(d) furnishes information;\n(e) receives an application;\n(f) permits inspection of a register;\n(g) allows the use of real or personal property of or under its care;\nor\n\nPart 2 Administration\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 5\n(h) takes any other action in relation to which a determination is\nmade,\nit may demand and recover the relevant amount determined under\nclause (2).\n(4) If the council makes a determination under this by-law, it is to\npublish a notice of its making in a newspaper circulating in the\ncouncil area as soon as practicable after the determination is made.\n7 Registrar\nThe council may appoint a person to be the registrar for the\npurposes of these By-laws.\n8 Registers\n(1) The registrar must keep a register or registers in the form\ndetermined by the council containing details of:\n(a) all dogs registered by the council;\n(b) all licences granted or renewed by the council; and\n(c) all offences against these By-laws:\n(i) for which an owner of a dog has been found guilty; or\n(ii) in relation to which an infringement notice has been\nissued under these By-laws to the registered owner of a\ndog or other person.\n(2) The registrar may keep the register in any medium or combination\nof mediums that the registrar thinks fit including but not limited to a\ncomputer, microfilm or paper.\n9 Matters of evidence\n(1) An extract from or copy of an entry in a register purported to be\nsigned by the registrar is to be received in a court, a tribunal or by a\nperson acting judicially as evidence of the signature of the registrar\nand of the particulars contained in the entry without requiring the\nproduction of the register.\n(2) A statement signed by the registrar concerning particulars of entries\nin a register, including:\n(a) whether the name of a person was entered in a register in\nrelation to a dog, matter or thing; or\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 1 Registration of dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 6\n(b) whether a licence has been granted or renewed or registration\nhas been made or renewed,\nis to be received in a court, a tribunal or by a person acting judicially\nas evidence of the signature of the registrar and of those particulars\nwithout requiring the production of the register.\n(3) In relation to the making of a resolution by the council for the\npurposes of these By-laws, the minutes of a meeting of the council\nor a document purporting to be a true copy of, or an extract from,\nthe minutes of a meeting of the council signed by the clerk is to be\nreceived in a court, a tribunal or by a person acting judicially as\nevidence of the particulars contained in the minutes, or that extract\nor copy, without further proof.\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 1 Registration of dogs\n10 Requirement for registration\n(1) A dog that is usually kept within the council area must be registered\nif the dog is over the age of 3 months.\n(2) The burden of proof that a dog is below the age of 3 months lies on\nthe person charged with an offence under by-law 25.\n(3) For the purposes of clause (1), a dog is taken to be usually kept\nwithin the council area if it has been kept within the council area for\na period of 3 months or more, ignoring temporary absences.\n11 Application for registration\n(1) The owner of a dog may apply to the council for the registration or\nrenewal of registration of the dog.\n(2) An application under clause (1) is to be in the approved form\naccompanied by:\n(a) the appropriate fee; and\n(b) any other information, relevant to the determination of the\napplication, that the council requires the applicant to provide.\n(3) A person who fails to renew the registration of a dog before the\nregistration expires may apply to register the dog under clause (1).\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 1 Registration of dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 7\n12 Determination of application\n(1) The council must, not later than 21 days after receiving an\napplication under by-law 11:\n(a) register or renew the registration of the dog, either\nconditionally or unconditionally; or\n(b) refuse to register or renew the registration of the dog.\n(2) If the council refuses to register or renew the registration of a dog,\nthe council must refund to the applicant the fee that accompanied\nthe application in relation to the dog.\n(3) The council may refuse to register or renew the registration of a dog\nif the owner of the dog commits more than 2 offences against these\nBy-laws during the period of 12 months before the date of the\napplication.\n(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the owner of a dog commits an\noffence against these By-laws if:\n(a) he or she has been found guilty by a court of an offence\nagainst these By-laws;\n(b) a penalty under an infringement notice has been paid in\nexpiation of an alleged offence against these By-laws by the\nowner; or\n(c) although the penalty under an infringement notice referred to\nin paragraph (ii) has not been paid the due date for payment\nhas passed and the owner has not elected to have the matter\ndetermined by a court.\n(5) The council may refuse to register or renew the registration of a dog\nif:\n(a) within the period of 12 months before the date of the\napplication:\n(i) the owner of the dog has been found guilty of an offence\nagainst these By-laws;\n(ii) a penalty under an infringement notice has been paid in\nexpiation of an alleged offence by the owner of the dog\nagainst these By-laws; or\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 1 Registration of dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 8\n(iii) although the penalty under an infringement notice\nreferred to in paragraph (ii) has not been paid, the due\ndate for payment has passed and the owner of the dog\nhas not elected to have the matter determined by a\ncourt,\nin relation to more than 2 offences or alleged offences in total;\n(b) within the period of 12 months before the date of the\napplication, the dog has been impounded under these By-laws\non more than 2 occasions;\n(c) the council is satisfied that the dog is destructive, dangerous,\nvicious or consistently the cause of nuisance to members of\nthe public;\n(d) the premises on which the dog is usually kept are not fenced\nin accordance with a condition of registration of the dog\nimposed by the council; or\n(e) within the period of 12 months before the date of the\napplication, 2 or more complaints have been received relating\nto:\n(i) the state of (including odour emanating from) the\npremises where the dog is usually kept, caused by or as\na result of, keeping the dog; or\n(ii) the unauthorised presence of the dog on premises other\nthan the premises where the dog is usually kept.\n(6) The council must refuse to register the dog or renew the registration\nof a dog if, in keeping the dog on premises on which the dog is\nusually kept, the applicant would be in breach of by-law 26.\n(7) If the council refuses to register or renew the registration of a dog,\nor imposes conditions on the registration or renewal of the\nregistration of a dog, the council must serve on the applicant a\nstatement in writing of the reasons for its decision.\n(8) The registered owner of a dog must comply with any conditions\nimposed on the registration or renewal of registration.\n(9) Registration of a dog is not transferable to another dog.\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 2 Licensing of premises\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 9\n13 Identification device\nIf the council registers or renews the registration of a dog under\nby-law 12, the council must issue to the registered owner a dog tag\nthat can be fitted to a collar and worn by the dog (unless the\nregistered owner is exempted by the registrar from the requirement\nthat the dog-tag be worn by the dog).\n14 Period of registration\n(1) Subject to clause (2), the registration of a dog expires on 30 June\neach year.\n(2) Despite clause (1), the council may determine that in all cases the\nregistration of a dog expires on the anniversary of the initial\nregistration or renewal of registration.\nDivision 2 Licensing of premises\n15 Council may determine when licence is required\n(1) The council may determine:\n(a) the number of dogs; or\n(b) the number of dogs of a class or classes of dogs,\nthat may be kept on premises without a licence.\n(2) If the number of dogs, or dogs of a class or classes of dogs, that\nare kept on premises exceeds the number determined under\nclause (1), the premises are required to be licensed.\n16 Application for licence\n(1) The occupier of premises may apply to the council for the grant or\nrenewal of a licence to keep on the premises more than the number\nof dogs determined by the council in accordance with by-law 15.\n(2) An application under clause (1) is to be in the approved form\naccompanied by:\n(a) the appropriate fee; and\n(b) any other information, relevant to the determination of the\napplication, that the council requires the applicant to provide.\n(3) A person who fails to renew a licence in respect of premises before\nthe licence expires may apply under clause (1) for a licence in\nrespect of the premises.\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 2 Licensing of premises\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 10\n17 Determination of application\n(1) The council must, not later than 21 days after receiving an\napplication under by-law 16:\n(a) grant a licence or renew the licence in respect of the\npremises, either conditionally or unconditionally; or\n(b) refuse to grant a licence or renew the licence in respect of the\npremises.\n(2) If the council refuses to grant or renew a licence in respect of\npremises, the council must refund to the applicant the fee that\naccompanied the application in relation to the premises.\n(3) In considering an application under by-law 16, the council may take\ninto account any matter that is in its opinion relevant, including:\n(a) the facilities for controlling dogs at the premises specified in\nthe application;\n(b) the number of dogs kept or to be kept at the premises; and\n(c) the likely impact on residents in the locality where the\npremises are situated if the licence is granted or renewed.\n(4) If the council has determined the manner in which premises are to\nbe fenced, the council must not grant or renew a licence in respect\nof premises that are not fenced in accordance with the\ndetermination.\n(5) If an application is for the renewal of a licence and to the council's\nknowledge:\n(a) no matters have arisen that, if taken into account at the time\nthe licence was granted, would have caused the council to\nrefuse to grant the licence or to grant the licence subject to\nconditions other than those specified in the licence; or\n(b) the council has not, since the grant of the licence, made a\ndetermination under by-law 15 that affects the premises,\nthe council may renew the licence without considering the\napplication in the manner specified in clauses (3) and (4).\n(6) If the council refuses to grant or renew a licence or grants a licence\nsubject to conditions or renews a licence subject to conditions not\nimposed on the original licence, the council must serve on the\napplicant a statement in writing of the reasons for its decision.\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 3 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration and licences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 11\n(7) A licence in respect of premises is not transferable to other\npremises.\n18 Period of licence\nSubject to these By-laws, a licence remains in force for the period,\nnot exceeding 12 months, specified in the licence.\nDivision 3 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration and\nlicences\n19 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration or licence by request\n(1) The council may, on the written application of the registered owner\nof a dog, by notice in writing served on the registered owner:\n(a) cancel the registration of the dog; or\n(b) vary the conditions to which the registration of the dog is\nsubject,\nas requested in the application.\n(2) The council may, on the written application of the holder of a\nlicence, by notice in writing served on the holder:\n(a) cancel the licence;\n(b) vary the conditions to which the licence is subject; or\n(c) suspend the licence for the period,\nas requested in the application.\n20 Cancellation, variation etc. of registration or licence otherwise\nthan by request\n(1) The council may, by notice served on the registered owner of a\ndog, require the registered owner to show cause why the council\nshould not:\n(a) cancel the registration of the dog; or\n(b) vary, in the manner specified in the notice, the conditions to\nwhich the registration of the dog is subject.\n\nPart 3 Registration and licences\nDivision 4 Regulatory\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 12\n(2) The council may, not less than 7 days after serving a notice under\nclause (1), by another notice in writing served on the registered\nowner on whom the notice was served under clause (1):\n(a) cancel the registration of the dog; or\n(b) vary, in the manner specified in the notice, the conditions to\nwhich the registration of the dog is subject.\n(3) The council may, by notice served on the holder of a licence,\nrequire the holder to show cause why the council should not:\n(a) cancel the licence;\n(b) vary, in the manner specified in the notice, the conditions to\nwhich the licence is subject; or\n(c) suspend the licence for the period specified in the notice.\n(4) The council may, not less than 7 days after serving a notice under\nclause (1), by another notice in writing served on the holder of the\nlicence on whom the notice was served under clause (1):\n(a) cancel the licence;\n(b) vary, in the manner specified in the notice, the conditions to\nwhich the licence is subject; or\n(c) suspend the licence for the period specified in the notice,\nbeing a period not longer than the period specified in the\nnotice served under clause (3).\n21 Operation of notice of cancellation etc.\nA notice served by the council under by-law 19 or 20(2) or (4) takes\neffect at the expiration of 7 days after the service of the notice.\nDivision 4 Regulatory\n22 General penalty\nA person who contravenes or fails to comply with these By-laws is\nliable on a finding of guilt to a penalty not exceeding $3 000 and, in\naddition, to a penalty not exceeding $100 for each day during which\nthe offence continues after the first day on which the offence was\ncommitted.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 13\n23 Fixed penalties\n(1) Despite by-law 22, a person who is alleged to have contravened or\nfailed to comply with these By-laws and on whom a notice of\ninfringement is served may pay to the council, as an alternative to\nprosecution, the sum specified by this by-law instead of the penalty\nthat may otherwise be imposed under these By-laws.\n(2) For the purposes of this by-law:\n(a) a notice of infringement is to be in the form set out in\nSchedule 2;\n(b) a notice of infringement may be issued by an authorised\nperson;\n(c) the sum specified by this by-law is $50 or, for a by-law\nspecified in Column 1 of Schedule 3, the sum specified\nopposite in Column 2 of that Schedule;\n(d) the sum specified by this by-law may be paid to the clerk or to\nthe person from time to time carrying out the duties of the\ncashier of the council; and\n(e) in order to avoid prosecution, the sum specified by this by-law\nis to be paid not later than 14 days after the date of service of\nthe notice of infringement on the person.\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\n24 Exemptions\nBy-laws 25, 26 and 27 do not apply to or in relation to:\n(a) a guide dog; or\n(b) any other dog determined by the council to be exempt from\nthose by-laws.\n25 Unregistered dogs\n(1) A person commits an offence if:\n(a) the person keeps within the council area a dog that is required\nunder by-law 10 to be registered; and\n(b) the dog is not registered.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 14\n(2) The occupier of premises within the council area commits an\noffence if:\n(a) a dog that is required under by-law 10 to be registered is kept\non the premises; and\n(b) the dog is not registered.\n(3) An offence under clause (1) or (2) is a regulatory offence.\n(4) Clause (1) or (2) does not apply to:\n(a) a pound supervisor keeping a dog in a pound;\n(b) an approved incorporated body, formed and carried on for\npurposes that include the provision of services relating to\nanimal welfare, keeping a dog in a refuge maintained by it; or\n(c) a veterinarian keeping a dog for the purposes of treatment.\n26 Unlicensed premises\n(1) The occupier of premises commits an offence if:\n(a) the number of dogs (or dogs of a class or classes of dogs)\nkept on the premises exceeds the number of dogs determined\nby the council under by-law 15(1); and\n(b) the premises are not licensed.\n(2) Despite subsection (1), the occupier of the premises does not\ncommit an offence if the number of dogs kept on the premises\nexceeds the permitted number of dogs only because of the\npresence of dogs that:\n(a) are under the age of 3 months; or\n(b) are not usually kept on the premises.\n27 Compliance with notice or conditions\n(1) A person on whom a notice is served under these By-laws must\ncomply with a requirement of the notice.\n(2) The holder of a licence granted or renewed under these By-laws\nmust comply with a condition of the licence.\n(3) A registered owner of a dog must comply with a condition of\nregistration of the dog.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 15\n28 Offences in relation to identification device\n(1) If a person (who is not the owner of the dog) without reasonable\ncause removes an identification device from a registered dog, he or\nshe commits an offence.\n(2) If a registered dog is at large without an identification device, the\nowner of the dog commits an offence.\n(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against clause (2) if\nthe owner of the dog proves that the identification device was\nremoved:\n(a) without the owner's permission and the owner had not had\nsufficient opportunity to replace the identification device; or\n(b) for a reasonable cause and the cause was still existent at the\ndate of the alleged offence.\n(4) If a person fits an identification device to a dog that is not the dog\nfor which the identification device was issued, he or she commits an\noffence.\n29 Dogs at large\n(1) If a dog is at large and not under effective control, the owner of the\ndog commits an offence.\n(2) An offence under clause (1) is a regulatory offence.\n30 Female dogs in oestrus\n(1) Subject to clause (2), the owner of a dog commits an offence if the\ndog is a female in oestrus and is in a public place.\n(2) This by-law does not apply in relation to a female dog that is under\neffective control and is being taken to:\n(a) a veterinarian for treatment;\n(b) a kennel for boarding;\n(c) a stud dog for breeding purposes;\n(d) a conformation show; or\n(e) another event or place approved by the registrar.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 16\n31 Enticement\nIf a person entices or induces a dog to act in a manner that would\nrender the owner of the dog liable to prosecution for an offence\nunder or against these By-laws, the person commits an offence.\n32 Dogs attacking or menacing persons or animals\n(1) If, within the council area, a dog:\n(a) menaces a person or an animal; or\n(b) attacks a person or an animal,\nthe owner of the dog commits an offence.\n(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under clause (1) if the\nowner of the dog proves that:\n(a) a person had, without the owner's permission, enticed the dog\nto menace or attack the person or animal;\n(b) the animal menaced or attacked was menaced or attacked on\npremises owned or occupied by the owner; or\n(c) the person menaced or attacked was menaced or attacked on\npremises owned or occupied by the owner and the person:\n(i) was on the premises for an illegal purpose; or\n(ii) was menaced or attacked other than when proceeding\nby the shortest practical route from a normal access\npoint on a boundary of the premises to the door of the\npremises closest to that access point or from the door to\nthe access point.\n33 Dogs chasing vehicles\n(1) If, within the council area, a dog chases a vehicle (including a\nbicycle), the owner of the dog commits an offence.\n(2) An offence under clause (1) is a regulatory offence.\n34 Dogs causing nuisance\n(1) If, within the council area, a dog (by itself or together with other\ndogs) is a nuisance, the owner of the dog commits an offence.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 1 Offences\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 17\n(2) For the purposes of this by-law, a dog is a nuisance if it is injurious\nor dangerous to the health of the community or an individual, or\nbehaves repeatedly in a manner contrary to the general interest of\nthe community or an individual.\n(3) Without limiting clause (2), a dog is a nuisance if it:\n(a) creates a noise, by barking or otherwise, which persistently\noccurs or continues to a degree or extent that has a disturbing\neffect on the state of reasonable mental, physical or social\nwell-being of a person;\n(b) repeatedly barks or otherwise repeatedly creates a noise\nwhen people or vehicles use a public place in the vicinity of\nthe premises where the dog is kept; or\n(c) repeatedly defecates in a place or places causing annoyance\nto a particular person.\n(4) For the purposes of clause (3)(c), the dog is taken not to be a\nnuisance if the owner of the dog promptly removes the faeces and\ndisposes of them in a public garbage receptacle or on his or her\nown property.\n35 Abandoning dogs\nA person who abandons a dog in the council area commits an\noffence.\n36 Obstruction of pound supervisor etc.\n(1) A person who obstructs or hinders a pound supervisor in the\nexecution of his or her duties commits an offence.\n(2) A person commits an offence if he or she:\n(a) removes or attempts to remove a dog from the custody of an\nauthorised person; or\n(b) except as provided for in these By-laws – removes or attempts\nto remove a dog from a pound.\n37 Obstruction of officers etc.\nA person who obstructs or hinders an authorised person or officer\nor employee of the council, a contractor or sub-contractor to the\ncouncil or employee of the contractor or sub-contractor in the\nproper execution of his or her work or duty under these By-laws\ncommits an offence.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 2 Enforcement\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 18\n38 Making false statement\nA person who, in making a statement required or permitted to be\nmade in a document under these By-laws, knowingly makes a false\nstatement commits an offence.\n39 Offence in relation to sterilisation mark\nIf the council has approved a mark under by-law 49, a person who\nmarks, with the approved mark, a dog that has not been sterilised\ncommits an offence.\n40 Selling or disposing of a dog to another person\n(1) If a person is selling or disposing of a dog to another person, the\nperson selling or disposing of the dog:\n(a) must not falsely hold out the dog to be sterilised; and\n(b) if the dog is held out to be sterilised-must provide proof of the\nsterilisation if requested.\n(2) A person who contravenes or fails to comply with clause (1)\ncommits an offence.\nDivision 2 Enforcement\n41 Seizure etc. of dogs\n(1) An authorised person may seize:\n(a) an apparently dangerous, diseased, injured, savage,\ndestructive, stray or unregistered dog; or\n(b) a dog that is at large and not under effective control.\n(2) If in the opinion of an authorised person it is necessary to do so, he\nor she may:\n(a) destroy a dangerous, diseased, injured, savage, destructive,\nunclaimed, unregistered or unwanted dog; or\n(b) apply to the Local Court for an order relating to the destruction\nof the dog.\n(3) For the purposes of this by-law, an authorised person may set cage\ntraps to trap a dog.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 3 Pounds and impounded dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 19\n(4) An authorised person must ensure that any animal trapped in a\ncage trap referred to in clause (3) is removed from the trap as soon\nas practicable in order to minimise distress to the animal.\n42 Dogs seized to be impounded\n(1) An authorised person who seizes a dog under these By-laws must,\nas soon as practicable:\n(a) deliver the dog to a pound; or\n(b) return the dog to its owner.\n(2) If a dog is returned to its owner in accordance with clause (1)(b),\nthe authorised person must issue a notice of infringement to the\nowner, unless by-law 31 applies in the circumstances.\nDivision 3 Pounds and impounded dogs\n43 Establishment etc. of pounds\n(1) The council may:\n(a) establish a pound; or\n(b) make any arrangements that it thinks fit for the use of\npremises for impounding dogs under these By-laws.\n(2) The council may appoint persons that it thinks fit to be pound\nsupervisors of a pound.\n44 Notice of impounding\n(1) If a registered dog with an identification device is delivered to a\npound, a pound supervisor must notify the registrar who must serve\non the registered owner a notice, in the approved form, of the\nimpounding of the dog.\n(2) If a dog with a collar on which the address of its owner is displayed\nis delivered to a pound, a pound supervisor must notify the registrar\nwho may serve at that address a notice, in the approved form, of\nthe impounding of the dog.\n(3) Except in accordance with clause (1) or (2), the registrar is not\nobliged to notify the owner of a dog of the impounding of the dog.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 3 Pounds and impounded dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 20\n45 Release of dogs from pounds\n(1) Subject to by-law 47, an impounded dog must not be released from\nthe pound:\n(a) unless it is registered;\n(b) other than to the owner of the dog or to a person authorised to\nact as the owner's agent; and\n(c) unless the appropriate maintenance and release fees are paid\nto the council.\n(2) Clause (1)(a) does not apply to a dog that is not required under\nby-law 10 to be registered.\n(3) For the purposes of this by-law:\n(a) the burden of satisfying a pound supervisor that a person is\nthe owner of the dog (or is authorised to act as the owner's\nagent) lies on the person; and\n(b) the burden of proof as to whether a dog is under the age of\n3 months lies on the person averring the age of the dog.\n46 Diseased dogs\n(1) If a pound supervisor who takes custody of a dog that has been\nseized under these By-laws:\n(a) notices or suspects that the dog is diseased; or\n(b) receives advice from a veterinarian that the dog is, or is\nsuspected of being, diseased,\nthe pound supervisor must:\n(c) isolate the dog from other dogs in the pound; and\n(d) notify the council of the dog's condition.\n(2) The council must serve on the owner, if known, of a dog isolated\nunder clause (1) written notice that the dog is or is suspected of\nbeing diseased and that the council:\n(a) requires the dog to be destroyed; or\n(b) requires the dog to undergo a course of treatment specified in\nthe notice.\n\nPart 4 Dog management\nDivision 3 Pounds and impounded dogs\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 21\n(3) In a notice served under clause (2), the council may require the\nowner of the dog to produce to the council (within the time specified\nin the notice) a report prepared by a veterinarian or a person\nspecified in the notice relating to:\n(a) if the dog is not required to be destroyed-the diseased dog; or\n(b) all other dogs usually kept at the premises at which the\ndiseased dog is or was kept.\n(4) A dog the subject of a notice under this by-law may be released\nfrom the pound in accordance with by-law 45 subject to any\nconditions that the council thinks fit.\n(5) The cost of treatment reasonably provided by a pound supervisor to\na diseased dog, and to any other dog in the pound that was\ninfected or was at risk of being infected by the diseased dog before\nthe pound supervisor could reasonably isolate it, is a debt due and\npayable by the owner of the diseased dog to the council.\n(6) The owner of a dog who contravenes or fails to comply with a\nrequirement of a notice served on him or her under clause (2), or a\ncondition imposed in accordance with clause (4), commits an\noffence.\n47 Destruction or disposal of impounded dogs\n(1) A pound supervisor may arrange for the destruction of an\nimpounded dog if the dog is so diseased or injured that it is humane\nto destroy it.\n(2) A pound supervisor may arrange for the destruction of an\nimpounded dog at the expiration of the number of days or hours\ndetermined by the council.\n(3) A pound supervisor may, instead of causing a dog to be destroyed\nunder clause (2):\n(a) sell the dog-providing all appropriate maintenance costs\nincurred for the keeping of that dog are recovered in the sale;\nor\n(b) pass the property in the dog to an approved incorporated body\nthat is formed and carried on for purposes that include the\nprovision of services relating to animal welfare and sell or\ndispose of the dog as agent for that body.\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 22\n48 Method of destruction of impounded dogs\nA dog in a pound must not be destroyed other than:\n(a) by a veterinarian or a person who is, in the opinion of a pound\nsupervisor, qualified to destroy the dog; and\n(b) in a humane manner that causes the dog to die quickly and\nwithout unnecessary suffering.\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n49 Sterilisation\n(1) The council may approve a mark to be used to identify a dog that\nhas been sterilised.\n(2) The council may approve a certificate of sterilisation to be issued to\nthe owner of a dog that has been sterilised.\n(3) If the council has approved a form of certificate of sterilisation under\nclause (2), a veterinarian who sterilises a dog must give a certificate\nin the approved form to the owner of the dog.\n50 Change of ownership of dog\n(1) A person who acquires ownership of a registered dog must, not\nlater than 14 days after acquiring ownership, notify the registrar of:\n(a) the person's name and address;\n(b) the name of the person who was registered as the owner of\nthe dog; and\n(c) the registration number of the dog.\n(2) The registered owner of a dog who changes his or her address\nmust, not later than 14 days after the change, notify the registrar of\nthe new address.\n(3) The registrar, on being notified of a change of ownership under\nclause (1) or of an address under clause (2), must amend the\nregister accordingly.\n(4) A person who fails to comply with clause (1) or (2) commits an\noffence.\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 23\n51 Dog races etc.\n(1) The council may, by notice in writing, exempt a person or body from\nthe operations of by-law 28 or 29 (or both) for the purposes of a dog\nrace, dog trial, dog show or while taking part in the activities of a\ndog obedience club or while using a dog to drive cattle or stock on\na road or for any other purpose or event that the council\ndetermines.\n(2) An exemption under clause (1) may relate to a particular event or to\na class of events and is subject to the conditions, if any, that the\ncouncil thinks fit.\n\nSchedule 1\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 24\nSchedule 1\nby-law 6\nDETERMINATIONS\nColumn 1 Column 2\nDeterminations Matters to be taken into account\nRegistration\n(1) By-law 11(2)\nApplication fee for registration or\nrenewal of registration\nFee may vary in respect of matters\nincluding the following:\n(a) the date of the application;\n(b) whether the owner presents (or\npresented at the time of initial\nregistration or a subsequent\nrenewal) a certificate of\nsterilisation in relation to the\ndog;\n(c) whether or not the applicant is\na pensioner.\n(2) By-law 12(3)(d)\nManner in which premises on which\nthe dog is usually kept are to be\nfenced\nManner may vary by reference to the\nsize or breed or both the size and\nbreed of the dog to be registered.\nLicences\n(1) By-law 16\nApplication fee for a licence or a\nrenewal of a licence\nFee may vary in respect of matters\nincluding the following:\n(a) the date of the application; or\n(b) whether or not the applicant is\na pensioner.\n\nSchedule 1\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 25\n(2) By-law 17(4)\nManner in which premises are to\nfenced\nManner may vary by reference to the\nsize or breed or both the size and\nbreed of the dogs to be kept on the\npremises.\n(3) By-law 15\nNumber of:\n(a) dogs; or\n(b) dogs of a class of dogs\nthat may be kept on premises without\nthe licensing of the premises\nDeterminations may be made under\nboth paragraphs (a) and (b) and\ndifferent determinations may be made\nin respect of different areas within the\ncouncil area\nMaintenance and Release Fees\nBy-law 45(1)(c)\nDaily fee to be paid in relation to the\nmaintenance of a dog in a pound\nFee to be paid on the release of a\ndog from a pound\nDestruction of Impounded Dogs\nBy-law 47(2)\nNumber of days or hours on the\nexpiry of which the pound supervisor\nmay arrange for the destruction of a\ndog\nOther Determinations\nThe conditions not otherwise\nspecifically dealt with in these\nBy-laws on which the council will\ngrant licences or registrations.\n\nSchedule 2\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 26\nSchedule 2\nby-law 23\nLocal Government Act 2008\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002\nNOTICE OF INFRINGEMENT\nCOOMALIE COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT COUNCIL\nTo: D.O.B.:\n(name of alleged offender)\nof:\n(address of alleged offender)\nIt is alleged that at at am/pm on 20\n(place) (time) (date)\nyou committed an offence as indicated below against the Coomalie (Dog\nManagement) By-laws 2002:\nBy-law:\nOffence:\n(nature of offence)\nAmount: $\nIn pursuance of by-law 23 of the Coomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002\nyou may pay to the council, instead of the penalty by which the offence is\notherwise punishable, the amount shown above to the person at the address\nshown on the reverse of this notice, not later than 14 days after the date of\nservice of this notice, in order to avoid prosecution.\nDated 20 .\nAuthorised person\nTHIS NOTICE MUST ACCOMPANY PAYMENT\nPLEASE SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS\nNOTICE\n\nSchedule 2\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 27\n(Reverse side of form)\nIf you wish to pay the amount shown on the front of this notice,\ncomplete the following and return it and the amount in person or by post\nto the clerk or cashier (see addresses and payment options below). On\npayment, you will not be liable for a penalty or costs for this offence.\nPayment in full must be made within 14 days after this notice is served\non you and must be accompanied by this notice.\nI, of\ntender the amount shown on the front of this notice, being assured that on\npayment of that amount no further action will be taken by the Coomalie\nCommunity Government Council for this offence.\nSigned: Date: 20 .\nIf you wish to be dealt with by a court in relation to this offence, do not\npay the amount shown on the front of this notice but complete the\nfollowing and return it in person to the Clerk or by post to the Clerk (see\naddresses below). A summons may then be issued requiring you to\nappear before the Local Court to be dealt with in relation to this offence.\nI, of\nwish to be dealt with by a court in relation to this offence and, for that reason,\nhave not paid the amount shown on the front of this notice.\nSigned: Date: 20 .\nAddresses:\nin person – To the Cashier\nCoomalie Community Government Council\n141 Cameron Road\nBATCHELOR NT 0845\nby post – To the Clerk\nCoomalie Community Government Council\nPO Box 20\nBATCHELOR NT 0845\nIf you do nothing in response to this notice, one of the following may\nhappen.\n\nSchedule 2\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 28\nEITHER\nA courtesy letter may be sent to you giving you a further 28 days from\nthe date of the letter in which to pay the amount shown on the front of\nthis notice. If you do not respond to the courtesy letter, a summons may\nbe issued requiring you to appear before the Local Court to be dealt with\nin relation to this offence.\nOR\nYou may not be given further time for payment. Instead, a summons may\nbe issued requiring you to appear before the Local Court to be dealt with\nin relation to this offence.\n\nSchedule 3\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 29\nSchedule 3\nby-law 23\nColumn 1\nBy-law\nColumn 2\nAmount\n$\n26(1) 100\n29(1) 100\n30(1) 100\n31 100\n32(1)(a) 100\n32(1)(b) 250\n33 100\n34(1) 100\n\nENDNOTES\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 30\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nCoomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002 (SL No. 66, 2002)\nNotified 11 September 2002\nCommenced 11 September 2002\nLocal Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016)\nAssent date 6 April 2016\nCommenced 1 May 2016 (s 2, s 2 Local Court (Repeals and Related\nAmendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016) and Gaz S34,\n29 April 2016)\nCoomalie Amendment By-laws 2020 (SL No. 30, 2020)\nNotified 30 September 2020\nCommenced 30 September 2020\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: bl 1, 5 and 52 and sch 2.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nbl 52 rep No. 30, 2020, bl 6\nsch 2 amd Act No. 8, 2016, s 45","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The by-laws continue to apply to the entire Coomalie council area (by-law 2) and retain the stated purpose of regulating dog-keeping (by-law 3). Endnotes record later formal amendments, but the instrument as presented does not expand geographic reach or the subject-matter scope beyond registration, licensing, enforcement and pound management described in the text."},"complexity_factors":["Number and detail of defined terms and operational thresholds (e.g. 'dog', 'owner', 'public place', 'effective control') — by-law 5.","Council discretion to make determinations on fees, fencing, numbers of dogs, licence conditions and other matters, with publication requirements — by-law 6 and Schedule 1.","Administrative procedures and time limits for applications and decisions (21-day decision period for registrations and licences; 7-day effect for cancellation notices) — by-laws 12(1), 17(1), 20(2)/(4) and 21.","Record-keeping and evidentiary rules for registers and registrar statements that streamline proof in courts — by-laws 7–9.","Dual enforcement pathways: criminal prosecution with high maximum penalties and a fixed-penalty/infringement scheme for summary disposal — by-laws 22–23 and Schedule 3.","Detailed enforcement powers including seizure, impounding, cage traps, destruction, sale or transfer to welfare bodies, and duties on pound supervisors — by-laws 41–47 and 43.","Owner obligations that create recurring compliance burdens (registration, dog-tags, notification of ownership/address changes, sterilisation proof) and financial liabilities (application fees, maintenance/release fees, treatment costs) — by-laws 10–14, 45, 49–50.","Regulatory distinctions (regulatory offences, defences, exemptions for guide dogs and council-granted exemptions for events) that affect prosecutorial choices — by-laws 23(1), 24 and 51.","Interlocking procedural steps for cancelling/conditioning registrations or licences (show-cause notices, written reasons) which raise administrative-review points — by-laws 19–21.","Schedules that specify infringement amounts and the form/content of notices, requiring cross-reference when applying penalties — Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 (by-law 23)."],"plain_english_summary":"These by-laws regulate keeping dogs in the Coomalie council area: requiring registration of dogs over 3 months, issuing identification tags, licensing premises that keep multiple dogs, and empowering seizure, impounding and destruction in specified circumstances. The council sets fees, licence conditions and fencing rules and may issue infringement notices or prosecute offences. This matters because dog owners pay fees and face penalties, authorised officers enforce rules, and council discretion determines conditions, costs and release or destruction of impounded animals."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The inclusion of Chapter 8 under the Northern Territory Electoral Commission suggests the by-laws extend beyond pure dog management into local governance or electoral matters, which represents a broader scope than a straightforward dog control instrument would typically encompass."},"complexity_factors":["The legislation is a local by-law with narrow geographic and subject-matter scope, keeping complexity low","Split administrative responsibility between two agencies (Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development and NT Electoral Commission) adds a minor layer of complexity","The full text of the by-laws is not provided, so specific provisions (such as penalty structures or definitions of dangerous dogs) cannot be assessed","By-laws of this type typically involve cross-references to the NT Local Government Act and other NT legislation, which can add moderate complexity for enforcement","The inclusion of Chapter 8 under the Electoral Commission suggests governance or election-related provisions that are somewhat unusual for a dog management instrument"],"plain_english_summary":"These local Coomalie by‑laws set rules for dog owners and anyone with dogs in the Coomalie Community Government area — covering registration, control in public and on private property, handling dangerous dogs and penalties for breaches. They’re enforced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development (with Chapter 8 oversight by the NT Electoral Commission). Current version in force from 30 September 2020."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of dog management within the Coomalie council area. While it includes detailed administrative procedures (registration, licensing, impounding) and various offences, these are all directly related to the core purpose stated in by-law 3: 'the keeping of dogs within the council area in a manner compatible with the enjoyment by residents of a congenial living environment.' The scope has not expanded beyond local dog control and registration matters."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (51 by-laws plus 3 schedules) but structured in clear Parts and Divisions","18 defined terms in the interpretation section (by-law 5), including technical definitions like 'attack', 'menace', and 'effective control'","Multiple cross-references between by-laws (e.g., by-law 25 references by-law 10 for registration requirements)","Conditional logic in offence provisions with specific defences (e.g., by-law 32 provides three separate defences for dogs attacking/menacing)","Nested exceptions: by-law 26(2) creates an exception to the unlicensed premises offence for puppies under 3 months and temporary dogs","Dual penalty structure: general penalty up to $3,000 (by-law 22) versus fixed penalty infringement notices of $50-$100 (by-law 23 and Schedule 3)","Administrative procedures with specific timeframes (21 days for applications, 7 days for notices to take effect, 14 days for change of ownership notification)","Evidence provisions (by-law 9) creating statutory presumptions about register extracts and council minutes"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** These are local council rules (called \"by-laws\") for the Coomalie region in the Northern Territory that set out how dogs must be managed, registered, and controlled.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Dog owners** in the Coomalie council area (which includes Batchelor and surrounding areas)\n- **People who keep multiple dogs** on their property\n- **Anyone interacting with dogs in public spaces**\n\n**What it does:**\n\n**Registration requirements:**\n- All dogs over 3 months old must be registered with the council\n- Registration must be renewed annually (by 30 June, or on the anniversary of initial registration)\n- Registered dogs must wear a dog-tag (identification device)\n\n**Licensing for multiple dogs:**\n- If you want to keep more dogs than the council allows without a licence, you need to apply for a premises licence\n- The council decides how many dogs are permitted without a licence, and this can vary by area or dog type\n\n**Rules for dog owners:**\n- Dogs must be under \"effective control\" (on a leash no longer than 2.5m held by someone over 12, or properly enclosed in a vehicle)\n- Dogs cannot be \"at large\" (roaming freely in public)\n- Female dogs in heat cannot be in public places (with limited exceptions)\n- Dogs must not attack, menace, or chase people or vehicles\n- Dogs must not cause nuisance (excessive barking, repeated defecation in public areas)\n- Owners must not abandon dogs\n\n**Enforcement and penalties:**\n- Council officers can seize unregistered, dangerous, or roaming dogs\n- Dogs may be impounded (taken to a pound)\n- Owners must pay fees to release impounded dogs\n- Dogs may be destroyed if diseased, injured, or not claimed within a set time\n- Fines apply for breaches—some can be paid on the spot ($50-$250 depending on the offence), while others can attract penalties up to $3,000\n\n**Special provisions:**\n- Guide dogs for blind or deaf people are exempt from most restrictions\n- The council can approve marks or certificates to show a dog has been sterilised (desexed)\n- Owners must notify the council within 14 days if they sell or give away a dog, or change their address\n\n**Why it matters:** These rules aim to balance responsible dog ownership with community safety and enjoyment. They give the council power to deal with dangerous dogs, excessive noise, and public health concerns, while providing a framework for legitimate dog ownership and breeding activities."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002","history":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002/history","analysis":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/coomalie-dog-management-by-laws-2002/documents"}}