Problems: a council perspective
Fred Pallas
Abstract
Animal control is a fundamental need for a community. Why then is it so difficult for animal management programs to achieve the desired levels of success?
This paper reviews the dog control strategies used in a former Victorian municipality. It looks briefly at the legislative controls which is available to local government officers and identifies the weaknesses in both the current Dog Act and the new Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act.
Possible solutions to the legislative deficiencies are identified which, if adopted, will result in a new direction for local government Animal Control Officers.
About the author
Fred Pallas, AIMM
Manager Neighourhood Support Services
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Private Bag 1000
Rosebud Vic 3039
Fred Pallas has been involved in Local Government since 1986 when he left his military career of almost 25 years to accept the appointment of Superintendent of Traffic and Bye-Laws with the Shire of Mornington Council.
Fred introduced effective animal management programs to the municipality and persuaded the Council to adopt widely differing registration fees for sterilised and entire dogs which has impacted favorably on the number of dogs impounded.
He has been a strong advocate of effective legislation and has presented his views to Parliamentary Working Parties on animal welfare. While he supports he direction various governments are taking with legislation, he believes the tendency is to address the symptoms and not the problems. Problem solving is still being left to those in the field.
Fred is now with the newly created Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and intends to continue to work towards more useful legislation.