AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

DOGS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE 1965

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 10 of 1965

	The Dogs Registration Ordinance 1926-1961 currently makes provision for the annual registration of all dogs in the Territory.  A number of dogs kept by any person for the purpose of his business may be registered on a single certificate of registration.  The fee for the registration of a dog is five shillings and the fee for the registration of a number of dogs is ten shillings in respect of all the dogs covered by the certificate of registration.

	The Ordinance will be amended by the Dogs Registration Ordinance 1965 to:–

(a)	exempt owners of dogs kept outside the city area, other than unsterilized Alsatian dogs, from the requirements;

(b)	repeal the provisions relating to the registration of a number of dogs;

(c)	provide for registration of a dog for the lifetime of the animal.

	The amendments are primarily intended to achieve adequate control and at the same time obviate unnecessary administrative work.  The existing provision permitting registration of a number of dogs on a single certificate within the City Area keeps administrative costs disproportionately high in view of the need for maintenance of strict checks at all times.  The requirement that all dogs kept within the City Area be registered singly involving the attachment of a registration disc to each dog’s collar bearing information as to the ownership of the dog will provide an appropriate means of control involving less administrative costs.

	The existing requirements relating to annual registration and registration of dogs kept outside the City Area serve no useful purpose.  The amendments related to these matters will also result in a considerable reduction of the administrative work associated with the Ordinance.

	The fee for the lifetime registration of a dog will be ten shillings.

	The new provisions will not relate to the registration of unsterilized Alsatian dogs which must be registered pursuant to the Alsatian Dogs Ordinance.  Difference considerations apply in imposing control measures in relation to these dogs and it is felt desirable that the present requirements of annual registration should be retained for them.

J. D ANTHONY