Responsible Pet Ownership

Dog ownership

Where must I have my dog on a lead in Ballarat?
Dogs must be on a lead at all times in the following areas:

• Ballarat Botanical Gardens
• Within 50 metres of the high water mark of Lake Wendouree
• Gong Reserve - Buninyong
• Eureka Stockade Reserve - Eureka Street
• Lake Esmond Reserve
• Any strip shopping centre or mall
• Within 50 metres of any childrens playground equipment
• Within 50 metres of any cooking equipment or tables and chairs in a reserve
• Within 50 metres of any parade, procession or organized gathering
• Any public area where dogs are required by signs to be on a lead
• Any walking path or shared footpath.

Where can I exercise my dog off a lead in Ballarat?
Dogs can be exercised off a lead in many reserves and parks, but they must remain under control and be continually supervised. Some suitable reserves to exercise your dog include:

• Victoria Park
• Morshead Park
• M.R. Powell Reserve
• Russell Square
• Pearces Park

Where must I collect my dogs faeces?

• In any park or public reserve
• On any walking path or shared footpath
• On a road reservation that contains a constructed footpath or maintained nature strip
• In any public place that has constructed surfaces, equipment or fixtures provided for the enjoyment of the public.

Cat ownership

Highly adaptable and flexible, cats fit into domestic life and routines easily and comfortably. They are however, predators by nature and will go looking for mates, defend territory and hunt wildlife, particularly during the dusk to dawn period.

The dangers of allowing your cat to roam at night
The hours between dusk and dawn are when your cat is most likely to attack wildlife; get hit by passing traffic; be injured, or injure another cat in a fight; and spray, howl and annoy neighbours, especially during mating season.

Confine your cat
You can protect your cat, preserve the environment and minimise disruption to the community by ensuring that your cat is confined indoors between dusk and dawn.

Your cat is your responsibility
If your cat wanders from your property and disrupts neighbours by spraying, howling, fighting or causing other disturbance, your neighbour can complain to the local Council and request that you ensure your cat is confined to your property.

If your cat wanders off your property and is not wearing a registration tag, it can be seized by anyone and impounded. The owner would then have to pay a fee to reclaim the cat from the pound, and may be liable for fines.

Contact Details

For more information about pet ownership contact the City of Ballarat on 03 5320 5500 or visit www.pets.info.vic.gov.au.