Community & Business
16 October, 2024
Dog fine outrage
A MAREEBA couple have been forced to pay more than $300 because they failed to notify Mareeba Shire Council that their dog had passed away.
The couple’s Facebook post explained that, amidst their grief, they had failed to tell the council their dog had died and “mistakenly ignored” a registration renewal notice about two months ago, thinking it was “irrelevant”.
“What we didn’t realise was that this oversight led to a fine that escalated from $30 to a staggering $322!” the post read.
“We are proud to be responsible pet owners - ensuring our pets are desexed, registered, and microchipped. However, this experience has taught us the importance of keeping the council updated about any changes in our pet’s status.
“We reached out to the council to explain that we overlooked this and asked to have the fine recalled but they could not assist – so, basically, we have to pay $322 for registration on a dog that had died. Apparently, you have 14 days after the dog has died to inform council.”
The post attracted nearly 300 comments, with quite a number of people advising they, too, had been caught out by the rule.
“Same thing happened to me, but two dogs. Fought them (the council) for a year but alas… near $700 later, I have to pay them,” one person wrote.
“They did the same to me they sent it to SPER and they cancelled my licence and when I contacted council, they refused any sort of support. I had no choice but to pay so my licence suspension was lifted,” another said.
“We had a similar situation with our two dogs. They are alive, however I was heavily pregnant and have since been adjusting to newborn life. Somehow my fatigued baby brain missed the bills and reminders in my email. I’d wondered if it was worth fighting, but going by the other responses, there doesn’t seem to be any hope in arguing it,” a woman wrote.
“I have had the same experience of late but with two dogs, so that is $644, and yet again our council had no empathy for our situation. Sometimes I wonder why we try to do the right thing,” a resident posted.
“Also happened to me, I have two registered dogs. Didn’t receive any renewal notices, they had gone to an old email address that had been hacked and I didn’t have access to. Nothing sent in the mail to the address where the dogs are registered (although that is where our rates notice goes). Had to pay $644 in fines plus the registrations,” another person wrote.
Council explained that if the registration renewal was not paid and council had not been notified about the dog being moved to another local government area or that it had passed away, an infringement was issued.
“Residents need to pay the animal registration fee by the due date of 30 June every year. If residents fail to inform council of any changes in circumstances after receiving a renewal notice and reminder, then an infringement is issued and this is clearly stated on the notice,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“The State Government sets the infringement amount which is part of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (Qld). The penalty for failing to register a dog or advise of a change in circumstance is $322 (two penalty units).
“This is the case across Queensland and council cannot change this.”
The Mayor also rejected claims by some dog owners that they did not receive any notification about the renewal or reminder notices.
All animal owners were sent registration renewal notices in April this year, advising that their dog must be registered or notify council of changed circumstances by 30 June.
The notice also clearly stated “please do not ignore your notice as you are liable for a Penalty Infringement Notice”.
In early July, council says it sent reminder notice to dog owners, advising them that their dog registration was now overdue and to arrange payment immediately or to notify council of changed circumstances to avoid a Penalty Infringement Notice.
The notice also clearly stated that they risked a Penalty Infringement Notice if they did not take action.
Mid-August, Penalty Infringement Notices was sent out to all dog owners who did not renew their animal registration or advise council of a change in their circumstances.
On 25 September, those people with outstanding dog registrations were issued an animal infringement reminder notice, granting a further 10 working days to pay the infringement in full, by instalments or elect to have a court hearing.
“Animal registration fees support animal shelter facilities and staff who work with animal-related services and emergencies,” Mayor Toppin added.
