Dogs
We manage dog exercise areas, deal with barking and roaming dogs, and provide information about registration.
Dog Exercise areas
Declared-area maps show where dogs are allowed off-lead, on-lead or are prohibited at different times of year. In public areas like pedestrian walking tracks, roads, footpaths and cycleways, your dog must be on a lead at all times. Non-compliance can lead to infringements. Maps for each area are linked below.
- Bicheno
- Coles Bay / Swanwick
- Nine Mile Beach
- Swansea
- Cressy, Spiky, Kelvedon & Mayfield Beaches
- Little Swanport / Boltons Beach
- Spring Bay, Triabunna, Barton Avenue
- Orford
- Rheban Beach
Fenced dog exercise parks
There are five fenced dog exercise parks where dogs can be exercised off-lead within the fenced area. Conditions of entry posted on the signs apply at all times, and owners must pick up after their dog.
- Buckland Cricket Club Ground, 1 East Street, Buckland
- Orford Recreation Ground, 31 Rheban Road, Orford
- Triabunna Recreation Ground, 51 Charles Street, Triabunna
- Swansea Esplanade, Swansea (Esplanade side of Golf Course)
- Swanwick Recreation Ground, 192 Hazards View Drive, Coles Bay
Register a dog
Download and complete the Dog Registration Application form, or collect one from our office at 9 Melbourne Street, Triabunna. Return it to Council with payment. If your dog is already registered, you’ll get a pre-filled renewal in the mail each May or June — fill in any missing details and return it. If you don’t receive a renewal, please contact us.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-desexed dog (per animal) | $70 |
| Desexed dog (per animal) | $35 |
| Working dog (per animal) | $35 |
| Pensioner — one desexed dog | $13 |
| Declared dangerous dog & restricted breeds (per animal) | $544 |
| Registered guide / assistance dog | Free |
| Replacement tag | $10 |
| Release of dog from pound — 1st offence | $50 |
| Release of dog from pound — 2nd and subsequent | $184 |
| Daily maintenance whilst impounded (per day) | $50 |
| Dog nuisance complaint fee (refundable if confirmed) | $54 |
| Kennel licence — new | $145 |
| Kennel licence — renewal | $45 |
Keeping several dogs
Without a kennel licence, a person must not keep more than two dogs over six months old on a property — or more than four working dogs over six months. See Kennel licensing if you need to keep more.
Dog Management Policy
The Dog Management Policy 2020–2026 sets the framework for declared areas and responsible dog ownership across our municipality. Read the policy and the maps below for the area you walk in.
Complaints – When is a barking dog a nuisance?
Under Division 6 — Nuisances of the Dog Control Act 2000, a dog is a ‘nuisance’ if its barking interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any premises or public place. If a dog causes a nuisance, the owner may be infringed.
If your dog is the one barking
Understanding why a dog is barking and how to address the cause may prevent unease among other residents — or complaints.
How to make a complaint
A formal complaint about a nuisance dog must:
- Be in the approved form
- Be accompanied by the appropriate fee
- State the nature of the nuisance
When we receive a complaint, the General Manager investigates. If the complaint has substance, the General Manager may institute proceedings for an offence under Section 46 of the Dog Control Act 2000 and refund the fee that accompanied the complaint.