Dog Ownership Responsibilities

Owning a dog is a privilege with the responsibility to keep your pet and the community safe.

Control and Behavior: Keep your dog under control at all times—close, in sight, and responsive to commands. It’s illegal for dogs to bite, threaten, or harass people, and excessive barking or nuisance behaviour must be addressed promptly.

Leash Laws: Dogs must be leashed unless in designated off-leash areas. Please respect leash rules as not everyone feels comfortable around dogs.

Clean Up: Always pick up after your dog using waste bags or dispensers in public spaces.

Registration: Dogs over six months old must be registered with the council to help ensure their return if they are lost. Registration is different from microchipping.

Preventing Strays: Secure your property to avoid escapes, report stray dogs to Burnie City Council at (03) 6430 5700.

Lost Pets: If your dog is missing, contact the Burnie Dogs Home at (03) 6431 6199.

By following these guidelines, you contribute to making Burnie a great place for everyone..