Dog Management Policy Consultation

Northern Midlands Council is reviewing its Dog Management Policy to better support responsible dog ownership, animal welfare, and community safety.  The revised draft includes the following key amendments:

1. Clearer Definitions

New and updated definitions have been added to clarify terms such as:

• Assistance Dog
• Dangerous Dog
• Adoption Dog
• Companion Dog
• Concession Dog
• Accredited Trainer
• Kennel Licence categories

This ensures greater consistency and transparency across Council processes.

2. Understanding Kennel Licence Rules – Draft Policy Explained

The draft policy includes stronger and clearer rules for keeping more than two dogs on a property. Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Do I Need a Kennel Licence?

• If you own 1 or 2 dogs, you do not need a kennel licence.
• If you wish to keep 3 or more dogs, you must apply for a kennel licence.

🔹 Types of Kennel Licences (New Categories)

Under the draft policy, there are three types of kennel licences:

1. KL1 – Companionship:
   For keeping 3 or more pet dogs for personal/family companionship only (not for business or breeding purposes).
2. KL2 – Commercial (Boarding):
   For operating a commercial dog boarding facility.
3. KL3 – Breeding:
   For keeping dogs for breeding and sale purposes.

🚫 Zoning Restrictions – Where Can You Have a Kennel Licence?

Zoning refers to how land is classified under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. Different zones have different rules for land use.

Relevant zones include:

• General Residential Zone
• Inner Residential Zone
• Low-Density Residential Zone

Under the draft policy:

• You can apply for a KL1 licence (Companionship) in a residential zone, for max 3 pet dogs or 4 working dogs.
• You cannot apply for a new kennel licence in a residential zone if you want to:
  • Keep more than 3 pet dogs or more than 4 working dogs (including hunting dogs)
  • Operate a commercial boarding kennel or breeding business

📏 Minimum Property Size Rule

• If your property is smaller than 400 square metres, you cannot apply for a new kennel licence, regardless of the zone.

🐶 Already Have a Kennel Licence?

If you currently hold a kennel licence that doesn’t meet the new rules:

• You can keep your existing dogs.
• However, you’ll need to gradually reduce numbers over time through natural attrition (as dogs pass away or are rehomed).
• This means you won’t be required to remove any dogs immediately, but you cannot add new dogs if you are over the new limits.

📝 Example Scenarios

• I have 2 dogs in a residential area → No licence needed.
• I want to keep 4 pet dogs on my 300m² property → Not allowed under the draft policy.
• I have 5 hunting dogs in a residential area → Not allowed under the draft policy.
• I run a dog boarding business in a residential area →Will not be permitted under the new rules.
• I live on a rural property over 400m² and want to keep 10 dogs →You may apply for a kennel licence, subject to assessment.

3. Dog Registration Declaration

Dog registration forms (online and paper) will now include a declaration that the owner understands their responsibilities under the policy and the Dog Control Act 2000.

4. Updated Code of Responsible Dog Ownership

The Code has been expanded to include:

• Clear expectations for care, control, and supervision of dogs
• The importance of exercise, microchipping, and preventing nuisance behaviour
• Penalties for non-compliance

5. Improved Clarity on Policy Review and Implementation

The draft policy now includes:

• Updated references to current legislation
• Clarified Council responsibilities
• A formal review schedule (at least every 5 years, or earlier if legislation changes)

📄 View the full draft policy and provide your feedback:

Draft Policy - Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership

🗓️ Submissions close on: 22 August 2025

For more information, visit Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership or contact our officers at council@nmc.tas.gov.au (Subject: Dog Management Policy Submission)

❓ Why is the Dog Management Policy being reviewed?

The policy is being updated to improve clarity, reflect current legislation, support responsible dog ownership, and ensure Council can better address issues such as unregulated breeding and animal welfare concerns.

❓ What are the key changes in the draft policy?

• New definitions (e.g. Assistance Dog, Dangerous Dog, Companion Dog)
• New categories for kennel licences
• Clear rules about where and how many dogs can be kept
• A declaration for all dog registrations
• Stronger provisions for animal welfare and nuisance prevention

(See the Key Amendments section for more detail.)

❓ Will I lose my dogs if I already have a kennel licence?

No, you will not lose your dogs.
If you already have a kennel licence and the new rules mean you're now over the limit; you can keep the dogs you already own.

You won’t need to give any dogs up, but over time, as dogs naturally pass away or are rehomed, you’ll need to gradually reduce the number to meet the new limits.

You just won’t be able to add new dogs once you're at or over the limit.

❓ Can I still apply for a new kennel licence?

Yes, but there are new rules proposed in the draft policy.

• If you want to keep 3 or more dogs, you must apply for a kennel licence.
• New licences will only be granted if your property is larger than 400 square metres.
• In residential zones, you can apply to keep up to 3 pet dogs or 4 working dogs (including hunting dogs), but no more.
• Breeding and boarding kennel licences will not be approved in residential areas.

See the Key Amendments section for more detail about kennel licence types and zoning restrictions.

❓ What if I live on a small block but already have a licence?

If your property is smaller than 400 square metres and you already have a kennel licence, you can keep your current dogs.

However, over time, as some dogs naturally pass away or are rehomed, the number of dogs must gradually be reduced to a maximum of two.
You don’t need to remove dogs immediately, just ensure no new dogs are added once you reach the limit.

❓ What do zoning restrictions mean?
Zoning refers to how land is classified under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. In this draft policy:

• Residential zones include the General Residential, Inner Residential, and Low-Density Residential zones.
• In these areas, you cannot apply for a licence to:
• Keep more than 3 pet dogs or 4 working dogs
• Operate a breeding or commercial boarding business

If you live in a non-residential zone and meet the property size requirements (400 m²+), you may be eligible to apply for a broader licence.

❓ What types of kennel licences will be available?
The draft policy introduces three types of kennel licences:

• KL1 – Companionship: For 3 or more pet dogs (not for breeding or business use)
• KL2 – Commercial (Boarding): For operating a dog boarding facility
• KL3 – Breeding: For keeping dogs to breed and sell

Each licence is subject to zoning and property size rules. More details are available in the Key Amendments section.

❓ Where can I read the draft policy?

You can download the draft policy online at: Draft Policy - Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership
Or in person at the Longford Council Offices and the Campbell Town – Town Hall.

❓ How can I have my say?

You can provide feedback by completing the Submission Form, available:

• Online: Closed
• Hard copies are available at the Council Office in Longford and at the Town Hall in Campbell Town.
• At designated community display locations

Submissions close on 22 August 2025.

📞 Need Help?

Contact Council on (03) 63977303 or email council@nmc.tas.gov.au (Subject: Dog Management Policy Submission).

🔹 Purpose of the Policy

To promote responsible dog ownership, support animal welfare, manage dog-related issues in the community, and ensure compliance with the Dog Control Act 2000.

🔹 Key Features of the Draft Policy

• Clear definitions for terms like Assistance Dog, Dangerous Dog, etc.
• Stronger rules for applying for or renewing kennel licences
• Declaration added to registration forms
• Improved guidance for dog care and behaviour
• Policy reviewed every 5 years or earlier if laws change

🔹 Kennel Licence Rules (Proposed)

🔹 Kennel Licence Categories (New)

• KL1 – Companionship: For 3+ pet dogs kept for personal or family companionship
• KL2 – Commercial (Boarding): For operating a commercial dog boarding facility
• KL3 – Breeding: For breeding and sale of dogs

Note: Licence approval is subject to zoning rules and minimum property size.

🔹 Consultation Details

• 📅 Open for public comment: 25 July to 22 August
• 📄 Documents available at:
• Council Office in Longford and Campbell Town – Town Hall
• Online: Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership
• 📝 How to provide feedback:
• Drop off at Council offices or in submission boxes

🔹 Contact Us

☎️ (03) 6397 7303

📧 council@nmc.tas.gov.au (Subject: Dog Management Policy Submission)

🌐 Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership

Draft Policy - Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership

Submission Form – Draft Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership

Northern Midlands Council is inviting feedback on its draft Dog Management Policy and Code of Responsible Dog Ownership.

Submissions close on: 22 August 2025

Closed