A new digital dog database being adopted in the ACT is to require dog owners to update their pet’s registration every year.
Announcing the new system, Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said the database would keep up-to-date information on where dogs lived and who owned them.
Mr Steel said the database and annual registration would be implemented under a new law intended to come into effect on 1 July, and would strengthen responsible dog ownership.
“This will benefit the community both by helping lost dogs be reunited with their families more quickly, and by better targeting education and compliance activity in relation to dangerous dogs,” Mr Steel said.
“Annual registration will ensure that we have up to date information on dogs so we can better understand how many are living here in the ACT, and pinpoint where and who owns them,” he said.
“The proposed laws will be supported by a new digital dog database, where owners will be required to quickly and easily update their details once a year at no additional cost.
Mr Steel said the new system would help keep dogs and the broader community safe.
“The main benefit to dog owners in updating their details is that it will enable Domestic Animals Services to return lost dogs back to them as quickly as possible,” he said.
“The new system will address the challenges we currently face with lifetime registration, as owners rarely tell Government when they change address or phone number, transfer their dog’s ownership to someone else, or their pet passes away.”
He said the planned new law would place the onus on the Territory to remind dog owners about annual registration requirements.
Ms Steel said Domestic Animal Services would be required to send dog owners an annual registration reminder notice in the form of an email, text or letter at least 14 days prior to their dog’s renewal date.
