How Does This Happen - Do Councils Have Any Control?

[slk]

I am currently having issues which have been ongoing for a few years now with the neighbour 2 doors up. They have two white fluffy dogs (don't know breed) which are aggressive. They have rushed us countless time. They have been fined countless times for not registering their dogs, for their dogs being at large, for their dogs rushing the postman - the list goes on.

I registered a complaint, and my husband signed a statement when they rushed my 2 year old son, and came within inches of biting him. It was the last straw for us. I was told they were going to be issued a summons to appear in court and we made it very clear that we were happy to stand up in court if that was required.

They now have a new puppy (haven't seen it, but it apparently belongs to one of the teenage sons so I doubt it's going to be white and fluffy!). So now they have 3 dogs.

How does someone who has this kind of history be allowed to have yet ANOTHER dog????

Believe me, I'm ringing local laws this morning - but is there anything else I can do?

Edited March 17, 2010 by slk

[Cosmolo]

Absurd. I would go to your government minister too and if there is no satisfactory resolution- go to the media- surely someone would pick up the story.

[casowner]

Depending on what the dog limit is within your Council I doubt that they have approval for it

[dogdayz]

Most vic councils require you must have the extra dog before you can get the permit, so doubt they have one as yet. Most will also require neighbour permission and no history of complaints.

[slk]

I have spoken to our council.

They need to get the dog, then apply for the permit (2 is the limit, this will be their 3rd). To me that seems a roundabout way to go about it .... poor dog is going to have to be rehomed if they don't get the permit - surely you could apply for the permit before you get the dog?? But no, need to have the animal first.

Then, it taken into consideration - neighbour appoval is requested via the council and each case is then assessed on it's merits - ie no prior complain history. There is NO WAY they are going to get a permit give their history - their file is thick, from everything from dog at large to failing to register, court summons, etc.

Frustrating to say the least.

Oh, and poor pup, will be looking for a new home soon.

[nicrowkz]

I have spoken to our council.

They need to get the dog, then apply for the permit (2 is the limit, this will be their 3rd). To me that seems a roundabout way to go about it .... poor dog is going to have to be rehomed if they don't get the permit - surely you could apply for the permit before you get the dog?? But no, need to have the animal first.

Then, it taken into consideration - neighbour appoval is requested via the council and each case is then assessed on it's merits - ie no prior complain history. There is NO WAY they are going to get a permit give their history - their file is thick, from everything from dog at large to failing to register, court summons, etc.

Frustrating to say the least.

Oh, and poor pup, will be looking for a new home soon.

If they are always getting fined for not registering their dogs I highly doubt they would even think about putting an application in for a permit for an additional dog!

[Bully]

Most vic councils require you must have the extra dog before you can get the permit, so doubt they have one as yet. Most will also require neighbour permission and no history of complaints.

How ridiculous So you purchase the dog, the permit is refused and then you have to get rid of the dog. Stupid It would make much more sense to have to get the permit first before getting the extra dog

[claireybell]

I asked Frankston council about a year ago what i needed to do if we wanted a third dog. They told me the same thing. Once I have the dog I need to apply for a permit and I need all my surrounding neighbours to sign the form and give their details so that the council could contact them. I said to the women at the council what happens if the permit is not approved? She told me I would have to get rid of one of the dogs. It is a totally stupid way to do things.

As someone else said though I doubt they will bother with getting permit, especially if the other two dogs aren't registered.

[Longcoat]

Most vic councils require you must have the extra dog before you can get the permit, so doubt they have one as yet. Most will also require neighbour permission and no history of complaints.

How ridiculous So you purchase the dog, the permit is refused and then you have to get rid of the dog. Stupid It would make much more sense to have to get the permit first before getting the extra dog

How stupid is a system like this..........get the 3rd dog first then apply for a permit with a possibility of refusal then having to get rid of one dog Once you have drawn attention to yourself by applying for the permit, you are backed into a corner with 3 dogs faced with a major problem.

Personally, I would take a punt keeping one dog unregistered or better still, register the 3rd dog at another address and deal with the situation when or if a council enquiry occurred.

Edited March 18, 2010 by Longcoat

[mr.mister]

Judging by the list of issues they're accumulating, I'm not sure if this could help but maybe report to council saying they have a third dog with no permit? At least then they won't completely slip through the gaps... maybe.

[slk]

They have actually applied for a permit. I think the only reason is because council are exercising all their powers on them at every opportunity. They have been issued with infringements notices for many offences which in the past they ignored, but the council issued summons and hello, infringment notices all paid, dogs desexed and presto - registered.

So yes, council have confirmed that they have paid the non-refundable $107 application fee for a permit, the forms will be sent to not only immediate neighbours, but every resident who has lodged complaints about existing dogs and, if I can quote my council man, "they don't have a hope in hell of getting a permit".

I really do feel for the pup though. And I'm sure that this dog is not unique - there would be many animals affected by this silly procedure. They don't have to apply for the permit until the dog is 3 months old .... the whole application process takes about 4 weeks - and then, at around 16 weeks+ puppies are looking for new homes Stupid.

[KnucklesDutchnUs]

They have actually applied for a permit. I think the only reason is because council are exercising all their powers on them at every opportunity. They have been issued with infringements notices for many offences which in the past they ignored, but the council issued summons and hello, infringment notices all paid, dogs desexed and presto - registered.

So yes, council have confirmed that they have paid the non-refundable $107 application fee for a permit, the forms will be sent to not only immediate neighbours, but every resident who has lodged complaints about existing dogs and, if I can quote my council man, "they don't have a hope in hell of getting a permit".

I really do feel for the pup though. And I'm sure that this dog is not unique - there would be many animals affected by this silly procedure. They don't have to apply for the permit until the dog is 3 months old .... the whole application process takes about 4 weeks - and then, at around 16 weeks+ puppies are looking for new homes Stupid.

another dog off to the pound.

[stormie]

I think the media should be made aware of this permit system... its outrageous

[sandgrubber]

Given how brilliantly local governments handle dogs, I wonder whether we should be moving hospitals to local control.

I think the media should be made aware of this permit system... its outrageous

[dogdayz]

add to that the fact most require yearly renewel with same neighbour approvals, and lets face it in an average dogs life span you can expect a few neighbour changes...apparently 'dog is for life' hasnt reached vic yet.

[justin19801]

Councils obviously don't want people to own dogs. Half of the problems with HA dogs is their lack of proper socialisation, due in part by councils forcing isolation of animaLS. I also have a problem with fining someone if their dog rushes at someone or chases a cat. If they are properly contained it isn't an issue. Most dogs near us, small, medium and large would end by dieing if this was enforced. No doubt it eventually will be, Our current rangers are an understanding lot.

[maxter]

Poor pup - if they have no chance of getting a permit what is to become of him/her?