Elements and Performance Criteria
- Communicate with animal owners and the public about animal care and control issues
- Enquiries about council policies on animal care and control are answered or referred to relevant personnel or authorities.
- Complaints and notifications from the public are responded to in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Council involvement in community education programs is undertaken efficiently and effectively.
- Issue warnings and infringements to offending animal owners
- Patrols are effective as a means of capturing offending animals and acting as a deterrent to owners.
- Complaints are attended to, inspections are undertaken and advice is given in accordance with legislation and accepted practices.
- Capture, impounding and release procedures are implemented according to legislation, council procedures and occupational health and safety policies.
- Liaison with owners of animals regarding infringements is timely, empathetic and outlines factual and legal aspects of the offence.
- Investigate dog attacks on persons and other animals
- Offending dogs are impounded and warnings or infringement notices are directed to dog owners.
- Disposal of dangerous animals as an alternative to capture is undertaken in a legal and humane manner.
- Investigation of dog attacks on persons and other animals is undertaken to support possible court proceedings.
- Undertake appropriate checks with other council personnel
- Registration checks and issues are undertaken as appropriate.
- Liaison with pound personnel or other council management regarding the release or destruction of impounded dogs or collection of pound or registration fees is in accordance with policy and legislation.
- Accurate records of transactions are maintained.
- Attend to appropriate court proceedings
- Statements are taken in an appropriate manner to support proceedings.
- Processes are served in accordance with legislation and policy.
- Court attendance and evidence tendering are undertaken where necessary to prosecute offending animal owners.
- Penalty notices are issued in accordance with findings of court or summary powers.