Dogs

If you own a dog, you have a legal responsibility to effectively contain and control your dog at all times, either within a fenced area on your property or on a leash when in a public place.

Your dog must be on a leash in public places, except at designated and sign posted authorised dog ‘off-lead' exercise areas. When a dog is exercised ‘off-lead' in an authorised exercise area it must be under effective verbal control, which means that the dog must be compliant with verbal commands immediately on issuance by the owner or person in charge of the dog at the time of exercising.

Dog owners are required to pick up all excreta deposited by your dog and dispose of the excreta in a general waste bin. 

Dog Exercise Parks

In May 2016, Council resolved that the following areas be established as dog exercise areas –

  1. River Foreshore portion (beach areas only) as indicated by signs;
  2. Preston Point Reserve, Preston Point Road;
  3. Henry Jeffery Oval, Preston Point Road;
  4. Upper Wauhop Park, Wauhop Road;
  5. East Fremantle Oval surrounds (excludes Oval), Moss Street; and
  6. Reserve, corner George Street and Silas Street.

This does not apply to those parts of these exercise areas that –

  • have been set apart as a children’s playground;
  • are being used for sporting or other activities, as permitted by the Town, during the times of such use; or
  • is a car park.

Dog Exercise Areas 

View Map of Dog Exercise Areas in the Town 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Town on (08) 9339 9339 or email admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au 

Dog Identification 

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Your dog is required to wear a tag bearing your name, dog name and your phone number at all times in a public place. This tag must be worn in addition to a valid registration tag.

Registration & Renewals

Renew your Dog Registration Online

Download Dog Registration Form

Dog registration renewal notices are forwarded to dog owners each year in October.

Payment can be made in person at the Town's Administration office or complete the back of the renewal notice and mail it to the Town. 

For new registrations or if you are moving from one local government area to another, you are required to complete a Dog Registration form as well as provide a copy of the National Database Microchip Certificate.  For transferring of pets you are also required to provide a  copy of the Registration Certificate from the Council the pet is transferring from.  If you have any queries regarding this process please contact the Town on 9339 9339 or admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.

Dog owners are reminded that as at 1 November 2015 all dogs three months and over must be microchipped. Proof of microchipping must be documented and presented for inspection at time of registration.

View information on the Dog Act 1976 and microchipping requirements

A dog owner is legally required to register his/her dog with the Town of East Fremantle once the dog reaches three (3) months of age. It is an offence not to register a dog and liable to issuance of an infringement notice. .

1 year 3 years Lifetime
Non Sterilised dog $50.00 $120.00 $250.00
Sterilised dog $20.00 $42.50 $100.00

Pensioner discount: 50% of above listed fees.

Proof of sterilisation must be documented and presented for inspection at time of registration. Dogs may be registered at the East Fremantle Town Hall at 135 Canning Hwy, East Fremantle.

Dog Attacks

A dog attack is a serious matter and if your dog or a dog in your care/control attacks another person or animal you will be held responsible and liable to prosecution with penalties up to $10,000 plus court costs should you be found guilty. A dog attack includes rushing aggressively at or attempting to attack a person or animal, tearing of clothing, biting, causing physical injury or damage to the person/animal attacking or behaving in such a manner towards a person as would cause a reasonable person to fear physical injury. Dog attacks must be reported immediately to the Rangers on (08) 9339 9339.

Should you sustain physical injuries you will need to both photograph the injuries and document any medical treatment / reports and make written statements and records of interview with the ranger. Remember that the more evidence and witness statements available to rangers will raise the chances of a successful prosecution. It is important to record the names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses where possible.

Dog Identification

Your dog is required to wear a tag bearing your name, dog name and your phone number at all times in a public place. This tag must be worn in addition to a valid registration tag.

Breaches / Contravention of Dog Act

A short guide of common breaches/ contravention of both the Dog Act and Dog Local Laws is listed below. Note that not all penalties/ contraventions are listed. It is the responsibility of dog owners or persons in control/ charge of a dog to read and be compliant with the provisions of both the Dog Act and Dog Local Laws.

SECTION OFFENCE GENERAL PENALTY DANGEROUS DOG
7(1) UNREGISTERED DOG $200.00 $400.00
31(3) DOG NOT HELD ON LEASH IN PUBLIC PLACES $200.00 $400.00
38(1a) DOG CAUSING NUISANCE $200.00
33A(3) DOG ON A PLACE WITHOUT CONSENT $200.00
30(2) DOG IN A PUBLIC PLACE WITHOUT A COLLAR OR REGISTRATION TAG $200.00
30(2) OWNER'S NAME AND ADDRESS NOT ON COLLAR $200.00
26 (4) KEEPING MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF DOGS $200.00
43(A) FAILURE OF ALLEGED OFFENDER TO GIVE NAME AND ADDRESS $200.00
38(5) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A NUISANCE DOG ORDER $200.00
33D(1) DOG ATTACK OR CHASE CAUSING PHYSICAL INJURY $400.00
33D(2A) DOG ATTACK OR CHASE CAUSING  NO PHYSICAL INJURY $200.00
21(1), (2) FAILURE TO ENSURE DOG MICRO CHIPPED $200.00
2.3(2) DOG EXCRETING IN A PROHIBITED PLACE $100.00

Stray Dogs

Report all stray dogs to Ranger immediately on (08) 9339 9339.

Do not attempt to pick up a stray dog or take it home for collection by the dog's owner or the Town's Ranger. What appears to be a friendly dog may turn highly aggressive when approached or placed in an unfamiliar environment such as another person's car or home. Dog attacks can occur quickly and people can sustain significant injuries that may result in life-long disabilities.

All dog's impounded by the Town of East Fremantle are impounded for 72 hours at  South Perth Animal Care Facility to enable the dog owner(s) to reclaim the dog after paying all relevant fees/charges (details below). Dogs not claimed by their owner within 72 hours of impounded are disposed of by re-homing with new owners via South Perth Animal Care Facility.

Dog Refuge Details:

Address: South Perth Animal Care Facility, 199 Thelma Street, Como
Telephone: (08) 9474 0777
Hours:

Due to COVID-19 by appointment only.  Standard Hours Monday – Sunday 12pm-3pm

Public Holidays 12pm – 1pm

(please note that the Facility may be closed during public holidays depending on operational requirements.

Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday 
Impound Fee View Schedule of Fees and Charges
Sustenance fee: View Schedule of Fees and Charges

The Animal Care Facility also offers an advisory service for owners of dangerous pets and those that are no longer safe in the community. The South Perth Facility is equipped with heating and cooling, outside exercise areas for the dogs and play equipment for cats. Fresh linen is provided to all animals to ensure they are kept in a warm safe environment along with good quality food for daily feeds. 

If your dog or cat has been impounded, you are required to pay a fee prior to release and a daily sustenance fee for the upkeep of your pet. It is also a requirement that if your dog or cat is not microchipped, then it must be microchipped prior to release. Similarly, if your dog or cat is not registered, you must also register them prior to release. If the dog or cat is registered you will need to provide proof of this.