Page 1450 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 2021
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New section 13 enables the registrar to cancel a dog’s registration if information requested under section 12A is not provided within 28 days; if the dog is not desexed or microchipped, as required under the act; or if the registrar has been informed that the dog has passed away. This will keep the registration database up to date to prevent deceased dogs from continuing to be actively registered in the database.
The bill also makes minor amendments to the Domestic Animals Regulation to require the registrar to record basic information relating to a registered dog, such as its name, desexing status and contact details for the owner.
Lastly, the bill sets out transition arrangements for Canberra’s dog owners to allow time before renewals are due. These dates are to be set on the next anniversary of the registration or one month after the next anniversary for those whose dogs were registered in July or on 1 August, ensuring that everyone will have ample warning to receive reminder notices and update their registration details.
I note that the explanatory statement for the bill has been revised with further clarification added for sections 10 and 10A. I thank the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety in their legislative scrutiny role for its comments on these sections. The revised explanatory statement explains that the strict liability offence for not complying with a reminder notice under section 10 cannot be applied to other requests in the bill or the act in general. Instead, the penalty is relevant only to registration renewal reminder notices and it cannot apply if a reminder notice is not sent. This again places the onus on the registrar to ensure that reminder notices are sent to owners with instructions on how to comply and with sufficient time allowed for it to be complied with.
Likewise, the existing penalty for having an unregistered dog will also not apply in the event that registration lapses, as these dogs will be categorised as lapsed in the system, not cancelled. Staff will then be able to manually follow up with any lapsed registrations to work with the owner to renew the registration or cancel it, if required.
This bill will see Canberra take a big step forward in the safe management of dogs and the protection of their welfare. Annual registration will strengthen responsible pet ownership, result in fewer lost dogs and ensure that any risks from dangerous dogs can be quickly identified and dealt with to make our community safer.
I table a revised explanatory statement for the bill, and I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Sitting suspended from 11.53 am to 2.00 pm.
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