Being a pet owner has many benefits. Whether you own a dog, cat, poultry, cattle or other farm animal, you need to be responsible.

Council’s role in animal management includes administering the Local Law (Animal Management), conducting inspections and responding to complaints about wandering stock, dog attacks, and safety of residents and wildlife.

It is unacceptable to leave an animal tied up for long periods of time, abused or left without food and water. Any incidents of animal cruelty, injured animals or wildlife should be reported to the RSPCA on 1300 264 625 (1300 ANIMAL). There is also a 24 hour Helpline 1300 852 188.

Minimum Standards for Keeping Animals

Animal Welfare Complaints

For information regarding animal welfare complaints please refer to Queensland Government website.

Regulated Dogs

From 1 January 2022, the Queensland Government will bring into effect new requirements for all regulated dogs to wear a specific type of distinctive red and yellow striped collar to keep the community safer.

The new laws will provide state-wide consistency in the type of collar required to be worn by a regulated dog, allowing the public to better identify a dog that has been regulated and to be able to avoid approaching the dog. A person will also be able to confidently report to local councils a regulated dog that might be roaming.

The new laws will require that a regulated dog must wear a distinctive collar that meets the following requirements:

  • yellow and red striped with a yellow identification tag
  • each stripe must be 25 millimetres wide and set diagonal to the rim of the collar at an angle of 45 degrees
  • at least one of the colours must be sufficiently reflective to be visible in low light
  • be made of durable materials
  • be able to be securely fastened to the dog

Mareeba Shire Council will work with all regulated dog owners to ensure these requirements are met.

For more information on the requirements for regulated dog collars, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/families/government/pets/regulated-dogs.