Thank you to everyone who helped develop the Domestic Animal Management Plan

Council adopted the final Domestic Animal Management Plan with amendments at their meeting on Monday 13 October 2025. To view the meeting minutes (Item 5.1) and papers, go to Council's website.

Amendments include:

  • Objective 3 and section 6 amended to replace: 'Investigate web-based online complaint lodgement' with 'Investigate web-based online complaint lodgement including the development of an online portal to receive domestic animal related complaints.'
  • Include in the Dog Working Group Terms of Reference that the purpose includes, to support the implementation of the initiatives of the Domestic Animal Management Plan, and provide feedback on other matters relating to dog ownership in Banyule.
  • Make the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 available on Council's website.
  • Forward a copy of the adopted Plan to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions by 4 December 2025.

Community engagement

Stage 2 engagement

From 10 April to 6 July 2025, 140 people provided feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan. As well as what you told us through the survey, people also came to talk with us in-person at nine community pop-up sessions at locations across the municipality.

Take a look below at some of the things we heard, or do a deeper dive by reading the full findings report.

What we heard

From your feedback, some of the key themes highlighted include:

  • Responsible pet ownership

    • The importance of inclusive and accessible pet management policies that:
      • reflect diverse household needs.
      • promote pet registration.
      • promote desexing both cats and dogs.
      • promote responsible dog behaviour in public areas.

  • Managing pet care

    • Balancing pet care with daily life. Some find it manageable while others face challenges due to time, cost or living constraints.

  • Pet education

    • Strong interest in general pet education and support for initiatives that improve pet care knowledge.
    • Education is seen as a proactive tool to promote responsible ownership and prevent behavioural or welfare issues.

  • Training and behaviour

    • Concerns about behavioural issues in pets.
    • The need for better training resources and support, especially for dog owners dealing with aggression or nuisance behaviours.

  • Regulation

    • Clearer regulation around pet ownership and breeding.
    • Ethical breeding and responsible ownership are recurring topics, with calls for more transparency and enforcement.

  • Medical care

    • Emphasis on vaccinations, neutering and disease prevention.
    • Concerns about accessibility and affordability of veterinary services, particularly for low-income households.

  • Cat management

    • Strong opposition to mandated cat containment due to social equity concerns and effectiveness.
    • Support for community cat programs and microtargeted desexing in high complaint areas.

  • Breed-specific legislation

    • Preference to shift toward behaviour-based assessments and education to prevent dog attacks.

  • Animal management officer capacity

    • Ongoing training to ensure officer skills are kept up to date.
    • Empower officers to engage proactively with pet owners.

  • Implementing procedures for dealing with nuisance

    • Technology to better manage complaints; barking dogs, dog poo litter, cats/dogs at large within the community.

  • Dog attacks, restricted breeds, dangerous dogs

    • The DAM Plan 2025-2029 continues to promote and support prompt action to ensure critical compliance and to reduce incidents that can lead to attacks within the community.

While some of the issues raised, such as access to affordable veterinary care, training services, or regulatory reform are not directly managed by Council, we do hear these concerns.

Your feedback will help shape a plan that is responsive, inclusive and focused on building a safer, more compassionate community for both people and pets. The proposed DAM Plan 2025–2029 will reflect the voices of our community and will guide our approach to animal management over the next four years.

Background

The Domestic Animal Management (DAM) Plan is a four year plan that outlines how we manage dogs, cats, and other pets in Banyule. It promotes responsible pet ownership and the welfare of these animals, while also protecting the community and the environment from nuisance pets.

Why is this project important?

  • To minimise the risk of dog attacks on people and animals.
  • To encourage pet owners to register their dogs and cats so that their animals can be easily identified.
  • To identify dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs to keep the community safe.
  • To investigate ways to reduce the chance for dogs and cats to create a nuisance.
  • To prevent over-population and high euthanasia rates of domestic animals.
  • To support pet owners to take responsibility for their pet’s behaviour.

Our Approach

Every four years, Councils are required by legislation to review their Domestic Animal Management Plan.

Banyule's new draft four-year Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 details the domestic animal services provided to the community, the qualifications and training of staff, and the programs and strategies Council will use to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce animal attacks and nuisance throughout the municipality.

FAQ