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Animal management legislationUnder the Local Government Act 1993, local councils have the power to make laws to manage animals kept by people in the community.
Local laws can include the power to put stray animals in a pound, and to put down animals that have attacked people or another animal. Badly injured or diseased animals might also have to be put down. It is important that Animal Management Workers inform people about their council’s animal management laws, and why the laws are there.
For example, dogs should not be allowed to roam the street because they can attack people or other animals. Dog faeces (droppings) breed flies, which can spread disease. Stray goats can damage fences, turn over rubbish bins looking for food, and damage cars they climb on to reach the leaves of trees.
Councils can fine people for breaking local laws. However, the best long-term approach for Animal Management Worders is to educate people about the laws, and the benefits of these laws to the community.
The Models for Local Laws written by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation make drafting local laws simpler for councils. These models are based on state government legislation. With just a few minor changes to suit the local situation, the laws can easily be adopted by a council as its local laws.
Many local councils have used these models to draft their animal management laws. In the table below are links to two models, and to the laws as adopted by two councils. (Compare the model laws with these councils’ laws. You’ll see that only a few changes to a Model Local Law are needed to change it into one that your council can adopt.)
| Model Local Laws | Examples of Councils’ Local Laws |
| Impounding of animals | |
| Keeping and control of animals |
A subordinate local law (or policy) provides extra details not given in the local laws (eg. how many dogs, goats, or other animals can be kept by one owner or household).
An example is the Mornington Shire Council’s Local Law Policy No 2 (Keeping and Controlling of Animals). At the start of this law, it says that the law is to be read with Local Law No 7 (Keeping and Controlling of Animals).
To view local laws that other councils have adopted (based on the Models), go to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation’s Local Laws Quick Search.
If your council decides that a Model Local Law meets its needs, there is a process that needs to be followed before you can start using it. Please refer to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation's publication Local Law Manual - Edition 3 and the Local Government Act 1993 for guidance on making local laws.
If there are no model local laws suitable for your Council's needs, Council can draft its own local law. The Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Council’s Guidelines for Drafting Local Laws and Subordinate Local Laws gives guidance on how to go about this.
Making sure that animals in the community are well looked after is another responsibility of the AMW. AMWs are also responsible to ensure that proper care is given to animals that come into the Council's possession.
The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 makes any person in charge of an animal responsible for the care to that animal. This means that any animals in the care of Council need to be provided with food water and the right living conditions. Their health needs to be attended to and they should be treated humanely.
This duty of care applies to such animals as:
Whilst an AMW is not responsible for enforcing this Act in the community, they do have an important role in making the community aware of their responsibilities and advising them on animal welfare issues.
If you need help or advice on animal welfare issues, you should contact officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Biosecurity - Animal Welfare Unit or the RSPCA.
The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 provides a framework for improved management of weeds, pest animals and the stock route network.
This law aims to protect the environment, economy and lifestyle by:
In order to control these threats, Local Councils are required to develop Pest Management Plans. These plans can help Councils to identify and manage pests and protect the environment. They also help to:
Strategies to control stray and problem domestic animals can also be included in Council's pest management plan to simplify the various ways animal issues are addressed by Councils.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries have developed information, guidelines and a template for developing a Pest Management Plan for your community. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has field officers who can assist Council to identify the local pest species and provide help and advice with the Pest Management Plan.
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