Rockhampton Regional Council introduced new registration and microchipping laws from 12 December 2010 in accordance with the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008:

• All dogs must be registered from 12 weeks of age
• Microchipping will be required from 12 weeks of age or upon transfer of ownership
• Working dogs only will be exempt from mandatory registration and microchipping
• Desexing is recommended at an appropriate age

Frequently asked questions - Changes to Animal Management Act
Being a responsible pet owner - Registration and microchipping obligations
Tag it or wear it - Register your pet today

There are substantial discounts on registration fees for pensioners and desexed animals. Please note if your pet is not desexed at the time of registration you must pay the entire fees, then apply for a refund, when you get it desexed.

Although working dogs will be exempt from registration and microchipping obligations, there are strict guidelines for the classification of a working dog.

Working Dog Registration Self Assessment Checklist 

Subsidised Microchipping

From time to time Rockhampton Regional Council may offer microchipping for a subsidised cost at several locations throughout the region to help make it easier for your pet to be reunited with you if they become lost!

Microchipping will be performed on the day by a local vet, who is an authorised provider. The next round of subsidised microchipping will be advertised soon.

Help me stay with you - Microchip your pet today

Basic Dog Obedience Classes

From time to time Rockhampton Regional Council offers free basic dog obedience classes at several locations throughout the region.

The basic dog obedience classes run for six weeks for dogs over 5 months of age and their keepers over 13 year of age. The course will cover basic commands and exercises for dog obedience and being a responsible pet owner. Registration is required prior to commencement of the classes and places are limited to 25 dogs. The next round of basic dog obedience classes will be advertised soon.

Lets work together - Basic dog obedience

Dog Off Leash Areas

Council has provided a number of off leash areas where dogs can exercise freely, play with their owners and socialise with other dogs.

While in an off leash area it is the owner's responsibility to ensure the dog is under effective control at all times.  It is important that you monitor your dog’s behaviour and ensure it does not cause a nuisance or become aggressive to other people or dogs.

Keep me fit - Off leash areas for dogs

Capricorn Coast Area

• All beaches before 8am and after 4pm daily unless otherwise signposted.  At all other times your dog must be on a leash.

• Farnborough Beach, Yeppoon from Bangalee boat ramp south to Barwells Creek with access via Hinz Avenue excluding weekends and public holidays.

• Fisherman's Beach, Emu Park from the beach access 150 metres north of Bell Park to Tanby Point with access via Hill Street excluding weekends and public holidays.

• Please note dogs are prohibited on Yeppoon Main Beach (from Ross Creek to the Bluff rocks), Cooee Bay Beach, Emu Park Beach and Sandy Point Beach at all times.

Gracemere Area

• Ted Price Park in the sign posted area only with access via Breakspear Street and Holgate Close.

Mount Morgan Area

• There is no officially designated area in Mount Morgan, however the Number 7 Dam can be used as an off leash area.

Rockhampton Area

• Duthie Park, North Rockhampton with access via Thozet Road, Marsh Avenue, Lawrence Avenue and Wiggington Street.
• Victoria Park, South Rockhampton with access via Huish Drive.

Code of Conduct

Council has adopted a few simple rules to make your visit to these off leash areas pleasant for you, your dog and other park users.

• All dogs must have a valid Council registration tag attached to their collar.

• Ensure you comply with all signs and boundaries and carry a leash at all times. You must leash your dog immediately if aggressive behaviour is demonstrated.

• Dogs must be leashed at all times prior to entering and upon leaving the off leash areas.

• Dogs must be under voice or signal control and in sight at all times. If your dog does not respond immediately, retrieve and leash it.

• Keep your dog in the area designated so as not to destroy plants, wildlife and other resources in the park.

• Respect other park users and clean up after your dog and place waste in the bins provided. Also fill in holes your dog digs as they create a safety hazard for others.

• Dogs must not be off leash within 25 metres of a dog obedience area while classes are underway.

• Dogs with a history of aggressive behaviour or declared dangerous dogs must be muzzled at all times when in a public place.

• Dogs excluded from designated areas include regulated dogs and female dogs on heat.

Stray Dogs

Wandering animals have a negative impact on the community, who have the right to walk in public places without fear of being attacked. If your animal is found wandering at large you will be given a $200 on the spot fine.

If a dog has wandered onto your premises you may privately impound the dog and take it to nearest Council Pound Facility. If you have no way of getting the dog to the pound, Council can arrange to collect the animal. The dog must be contained or leashed and you must be present at the time of collection to sign a Private Impounding Declaration.

If a dog is wandering in your area contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77 with a full description of the animal and its location. When complaints are received about wandering animals, Council will increase patrols in the area and the animal will be impounded.

Keep me home - Animals wandering at large
What happens - If your pet becomes lost

Barking Dogs

Barking dogs can cause a real nuisance to other people and animals within the community. Council has a process for investigating these complaints however it is important that you make the owner aware of your concerns. We encourage both the complainant and the owner to discuss the issue with their neighbours, initially, to gauge the impact of this nuisance within the immediate community and try to achieve a resolution.

If the nuisance continues, the complainant will be asked to complete an Animal Noise Complaint Form with sufficient information to provide Council with grounds to investigate. The identity of the complainant will remain confidential in any correspondence from Council.

The owner will be advised that a complaint has been received. They must take steps to minimise the nuisance being caused within 28 days from the date the complaint was received or Council will take further action.

If the alleged nuisance is proven to be a breach of the Local Law, Council may issue the owner with a warning and/or a $500 infringement notice. The offending dog may be seized, impounded and/or excluded from the Rockhampton Regional area. The owner can dispute the complaint, as they have the right to have the matter heard before the Court. If this occurs, the complainant/s will be required to supply evidence in person.

So talk it out with your neighbour and try to resolve the issue amicably, if you are having a problem with a barking dog!

Think of others - Controlling barking dogs - Information for Neighbours
Think of others - Controlling barking dogs - Information for Owner
Think of others - Controlling barking dogs - What Council will do
Think of others - Controlling barking dogs - Why dogs bark
Animal Noise Complaint Form

Restricted Dogs

Under the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 the dogs listed as restricted are required to have a permit in addition to registration. Restricted dogs are those breeds prohibited from importation into Australia under the Customs Act 1901 or if the dog is the subject of a restricted dog declaration.

The following are restricted dog breeds:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Presa Canario

Application for Restricted Dog Permit
Application to Amend Restricted Dog Permit

Aggressive Dogs

Aggressive dogs can cause a real danger to other people and animals in the community, who have the right to walk in public places without fear of being attacked. Council is required to act upon all complaints received for aggressive dogs.

The complainant will be asked to complete a Statutory Declaration with sufficient information to provide Council with grounds to investigate. The identity of the complainant will remain confidential in any correspondence from Council. If the matter goes to Court, the complainant/s will be required to supply evidence in person.

Depending upon the severity of the attack the dog may also be seized, impounded and/or destroyed, in addition to the owner being fined and/or prosecuted. The dog may also be declared either a Dangerous Dog or Menacing Dog under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. The owner must comply with legislated conditions for keeping a declared dog and will incur additional registration fees.

When dogs turn bad - What to do if a dog attacks

Your Pet - Your Responsibility

For more information click on the headings under Animal Management or related links and documents or call Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77.