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UPPER Hunter Shire Council is reminding residents that dogs must be on a leash in most public areas. An unrestrained and unsupervised canine can be a danger to other people and animals. The on-the-spot fine for dogs that attack, bite, harass, chase or rush at a person or animals is currently $550 and the NSW Government is seeking comment on a proposal to raise it to $1320 (see below). Mayor Wayne Bedggood said there had been an increase in reports of unrestrained dogs at Bill Rose Sports Complex and council would be increasing the regularity of Ranger visits. In Scone, dogs are allowed off-leash in the Kingdon Ponds passive recreation area between Liverpool Street and Kingdon Street. Other off-leash areas in Upper Hunter Shire are: • Aberdeen: Abercairney Terrace (near sewerage treatment works) • Cassilis: Showground (outside main arena near tennis courts) • Merriwa: Showground (outside main arena) Dutton Street A fenced dog off-leash area is included in the plans for an upgrade of Bill Rose Sports Complex before the Scone Bypass is in place. New facilities at the complex are part of the compensation package council negotiated with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) due to the impact of the planned bypass. “Many pet-lovers are looking forward to using a fenced off-leash dog park on the western side of the sports complex,” Cr Bedggood said. “In the meantime people need to keep their dog on a leash or stick to the off leash areas. “And, don’t forget your plastic bag.” The NSW Government is currently seeking comment on a new draft Companion Animals Regulation which proposes to increase on-the-spot fines for dog attacks and dangerous dog offences and extend discounted registration fees to animals adopted from approved rescue organisations. The proposed changes include: • Allowing animals adopted from approved rescue organisations to access 50 per cent discounts on registration fees to increase rehoming rates • Increased on-the-spot fines for dog attacks (from $550 to $1320) and for offences relating to control requirements, sale/advertising and acceptance of ownership of dangerous, menacing or restricted dogs (from $1320 to $1760) • A small increase in lifetime pet registration fees from $53 to $55 to allow for annual inflation adjustments. Fees are used to fund council ranger services, pound facilities, educational programs and other companion animal related activities to keep the community and dogs and cats safe. Submissions can be made until 5pm on May 22 at http://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/dogs-and-cats/responsible-pet-ownership-program

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Upper Hunter Shire Council concerned about increased reports of unrestrained dogs in Scone, Merriwa and Aberdeen