Quick links
- Sterilisation, microchipping and registration
- Dog Act 1976
- Owner's basic responsibilities
- Barking dogs
- Off-lead exercise areas
- Dangerous/restricted dog breeds
- Impounded dogs
- Dog attacks
- Unwanted dogs
Sterilisation, microchipping and registration
Your local vet will be able to provide you with sterilisation and microchipping services. Registration forms can be obtained by contacting Ranger Services on 9186 8555, the City of Karratha Administration Office on Welcome Road, Karratha, from any City of Karratha library or you can download the Dog Registration Form (0.2MB PDF).
Registration fees
Yearly registration: $50.00 per dog (unsterilised), $20.00 per dog (sterilised)
Three year registration: $120 per dog (unsterilised), $42.50 per dog (sterilised)
Lifetime registration: $250 per dog (unsterilised), $100 per dog (sterilised)
Pension card holders can receive a 50% discount on registration fees. Pensioner concessions can only be applied on production of a current Pensioner Concession Card, State Concession Card, Veteran’s Card or Senior’s Card together with a Commonwealth Senior’s Health Card.
Want to submit your registration forms via email? Follow the steps below:
- Complete the appropriate registration form above
- The different options and fees for registrations can be found on the back of the form
- In accordance with the Dog Act 1976, all registrations expire on 31 October each year Australia wide
- If your dog is sterilised we will require a copy of the sterilisation certificate
- In accordance with the Dog Act 1976, it is a requirement for all dogs to be microchipped. We will require the microchip number, on your registration form or for this to be provided at your earliest convenience (this may be followed up by our Rangers Team if not provided)
- The completed form with payment details can be returned via email to enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au
- Please advise if you would like to collect the registration tag from Customer Service or have the tag posted to you (please allow 5 working days to receive the tag via post mail). Alternatively, you can visit Customer Service at the City of Karratha - Main Administration Building on Welcome Road and provide your completed form along with the sterilisation certificate if applicable. You may also complete a form on arrival and have your application processed while you wait. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Dog Act 1976
NOTE: From 1 November 2015 State law required that all dogs in Western Australia over the age of three (3) months must also be microchipped - you can find out more about this here.
Ranger Services' main animal control task is the management of dogs within the City of Karratha. Find out all you need to know about dog rego and owning a dog here.
The law provides that all dogs in the City over the age of three (3) months must be registered in the name of a person over the age of 18.
For current fees and charges please call the City of Karratha: (08) 9186 8555.
We encourage all dog owners to sterilise their pets to prevent them contributing to the increasing population of unwanted dogs and puppies.
It is an offence not to register your dog and you could be issued with a significant, on-the-spot fine for failing to do so.
Council needs to be notified in writing about any change of dog ownership so our registration records can be kept up to date.
Dog owners are expected to ensure that their pets are not a nuisance or dangerous to the community.
Dog owners have specific legal responsibilities, which are intended for the convenience of all the community.
If you have been issued with an infringement notice it can be paid at the City's administration office on Welcome Road, Karratha.
There is a maximum of two (2) dogs permitted to live at an address without having to apply for a permit to keep additional dogs.
Owner’s basic responsibilities
Owning a dog in the City of Karratha comes with basic responsibilities that should be followed at all times.
- Registration: Is your dog registered?
- Tags: Is your dog wearing a current registration tag?
- Microchipped: Is your dog microchipped with your current address and relevant contact information?
- Escape: Are your fences and gates good enough to stop your dog going under, over or through them?
- Behaviour: Does your dog socialise well with other dogs and people?
- Poo Patrol: Do you pick up your dog’s poo when it does its business in public?
- Exercise: When you are out and about do you have your dog on a leash in public or under your control in dog exercise areas?
- Health: Is your dog free of parasites and in good condition for its age/breed?
- Home: Does your dog always have sufficient shelter, cooling, water, food and attention?
- For more information download the Responsible Dog Ownership brochure (0.7MB PDF)
Barking dogs
Ranger Services understands the frustrations that a barking dog can cause, disrupting sleep and quality of life. The laws relating to dog nuisance are prescribed by State Legislation and local authorities are bound to follow that process.
What can you do?
It is important that you approach the dog’s owner as soon as the dog/s barking becomes a problem. This is the best solution, as in the vast majority of cases if the complainant approaches the dog owner in a courteous, informative and neighbourly fashion, both parties can work together to solve the barking issue.
Should you feel unable to approach your neighbour directly, write them a polite letter stating the effects the dog/s barking is having on you. This letter should not be anonymous as this will lead to bad feelings and cause a breakdown in communications. You should keep a copy of this letter for future reference and evidential purposes.
If these steps have been taken and after a reasonable time the barking is continuing or you are unable to approach or write to the dog's owner, please contact Ranger Services.
What can we do to help you?
Ranger Services will visit the dog's owners and explain the problem. In some instances the dog owner might not believe there is a problem or doesn't realise what their dog/s get up to when they aren’t present. To assist us we require some information such as days, times and what may be triggering the barking. Convincing a dog owner to change their pet's habits is not easy and the more information we have the easy and quicker we can help you.
To help Ranger Services help you, please download and complete the Barking Dogs Kit (0.4KB PDF).
Download the Barking Dogs brochure (0.8MB PDF) for more information on what you can do about barking dogs.
Off-lead exercise areas
If your dog is easily controlled when off lead, you may take them to the following parks:
- Tambrey Oval – Nickol
- Mara Guthurra Park – Baynton West
- Millars Well Oval – Millars Well
- Pegs Creek Oval – Pegs Creek
- Old KEC Oval – Bulgarra
Owners must have verbal control over their dog at all times and must be able to stop their dog from interfering with other people's enjoyment of the area. Dogs are required to stay on lead during sporting events and training and are not allowed to enter children’s play areas. Download a map of the Dog Exercise Areas (1.5MB PDF).
Dangerous/restricted dog breeds
Dangerous Dogs
If your dog displays behavioural problems it is important that you address them quickly and with appropriate training. Contact local animal behaviouralists for further information about training.
The State Government has amended the Dog Act 1976 to allow Councils to declare certain dogs ‘dangerous’ for offences such as attacking or repeatedly rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals, escaping, and nuisance dogs. Once a dog is declared dangerous it will have to be muzzled at all times in public places and when not in an approved enclosure, it must be held on a leash by a person who has reached 18 years of age and is capable of controlling the dog.
An owner who fails to comply with a declaration order on their dog may be fined up to $10,000 with a minimum fine amount of $500. Residents are entitled to take a leisurely walk in our community without the concern of being attacked or hindered by dogs that are not controlled. Even the most behaved dogs can be disconcerting to people when roaming unattended. You may think your dog is totally harmless and unlikely to attack a person, however, roaming dogs are often guilty of approaching and attacking other dogs.
Restricted Breeds
The Dog (Restricted Breeds) Regulations (No2) 2002 declares 5 breeds of dog as restricted. These breeds and any dog that is a cross of any of these breeds or visibly contains any of its features is classed as a restricted breed dog.
Under regulation 3 “Restricted Breed” dogs are:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese tosa
- American pit bull terrier
- Pit bull terrier
- Any dog prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
My dog is one of these breeds or cross breed, what do I now need to do?
The Regulations outline what an owner or a person in charge or control of one of these dogs must do. These are not optional. They are set out in law and penalties are prescribed if they are not done.
- The dog must wear a distinctive collar at all times (In public or in private)
- The dogs enclosure must be constructed so that it is escape proof and so young children cannot get in to it. This also applies to any place where the dog is temporarily kept or visiting.
- Every entrance to the premises where the dog is kept must display a specific “Dangerous Dog” warning sign.
- At anytime the dog is in a public place it must be muzzled in a way to prevent it biting a person or animal.
- At all times the dog is in a public place it must be held on a leash by a person capable of controlling the dog.
- The owner or the person in control of the dog in a public place must be 18 years of age or over.
- No more than two restricted breed dogs can be owned by any one person or registered at any one address.
- All restricted breed dogs must be sterilised and proof to this must be shown to the Local Government.
- Must immediately notify the City of Karratha if the dog is missing or the place where the dog is ordinarily kept changes.
- Notify any buyer of a restricted breed dog that the dog is a restricted breed.
- You must not sell or give a restricted breed dog to a person under 18years of age.
I have one of these breeds or a cross breed but it isn't dangerous?
The Dog (Restricted Breeds) Regulations (No2) 2002 does not declare these dogs dangerous. It is not regulating the individual dog but the breed or cross breed. You will still need to comply with the requirements even if you perceive there is no threat from your dog.
What can happen if I don't comply with the Regulations?
The regulations have clear provisions for non compliance. There are court imposed penalties of up to $10,000.00 for each offense. Breaches against the provisions for the collar, containment, muzzle, control in public and sterilisation can result in the seizure of the dog and may also result in the dog being destroyed.
What if I disagree or can't comply with the requirements?
If you disagree with any requirement laid upon you or are having difficulty complying, Notify the City of Karratha and seek clarification or seek you own independent legal advise. Do not leave it until the last minute. You need to act before any stipulated time frames. Whilst you are obtaining legal advise, you may still need to comply with the direction given by the Local Government. Advise the City of Karratha early of your intentions.
Where do I obtain the items required?
Local vets, animal product suppliers or a internet search will give you various options.
For more information contact Ranger Services on: (08) 9186 8555 or enquiries@karratha.wa.gov.au PO Box 219 KARRATHA WA 6714
Impounded dogs
If you’re looking for a new family pet you can view the dogs on the SAFE Karratha website.
Dog attacks
To protect yourself from prosecution your dog’s containment is critical. If you are aware that your yard is not able to keep your dog confined, you must remedy this as a matter of urgency.
A dog attack includes a dog aggressively rushing at or attempting to attack a person or animal without injury or damage, as well as tearing clothing, biting, or causing physical injury.
There are very substantial penalties of up to $10,000 for a dog attack and $10,000 and/or 12 months jail for inciting a dog attack. The dog's owner or the person who has control of the dog at the time is also liable for any injury or damage to property resulting from a dog attack.
If you have been attacked by a dog, please contact Ranger Services 9186 8555 to report the incident. Dog attacks are taken very seriously and need to be reported immediately.
If your animal has been attacked, please contact a local veterinary clinic immediately. If you, a family member or friend has been attacked, medical attention is necessary even though most dog bites aren't fatal.
Unwanted dogs
If you have a dog that you are no longer able to keep, you can advertise for it to go to a new home. Contact SAFE Karratha on (08) 9185 4634. Rangers do not collect unwanted dogs.
