Microchipping
All dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with the respective local government.
Please note that if you registering a dangerous/restricted breed, the dog must also be sterilised. A sterilisation certificate must be provided when registering your dog.
Prepare supporting documents/information
- Proof of microchipping (obtained from your vet) is required when registering your dog
- If your dog is sterilised, please provide the sterilisation certificate (obtained from your vet)
- If a veterinarian has granted exemption, please ensure you have proof of the exemption
- If you are applying for a pensioner concession, please have your pensioner concession card.
Can’t attain a sterilisation certificate? Please provide a statutory declaration.
Statutory Declaration Form
Prepare your payment
Cash, card, cheques and money orders are accepted. Payments cannot be made over the phone.
| Registration Fees |
Sterilised |
Pensioner |
Unsterilised |
Pensioner |
| One Year Registration |
$20.00 |
$10.00 |
$50.00 |
$25.00 |
| Three Year Registration |
$42.50 |
$20.00 |
$120.00 |
$60.00 |
| Lifetime Registration |
$100.00 |
$50.00 |
$250.00 |
$125.00 |
| Dangerous Dog Registration |
$50.00 - One Year Renewal Only |
|
|
|
Submit your form
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Building,1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra 6208
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Via email mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
Our customer service officers will issue your pet's registration tag.
Attach the registration tag to your dog’s collar
The registration tag helps us reunite you with your pet if they get lost.
How many dogs can I keep?
You can keep two dogs over the age of three months and the young of these dogs up to three months old.
If your property is greater than ten hectares and situated outside a townsite, you can keep four dogs over the age of three months and the young of those dogs up to the age of three months.
If you would like to keep more dogs but less than six, you will need to complete the below form
Exemption Application to keep more than the Prescribed Number of Dogs.
Application Fee: $150. This form can be returned in person or by post.
- If applying in person cash, card, cheques and money orders are accepted.
- If applying by post cheques and money orders are accepted.
If you intend to keep six or more dogs on your property you will need to obtain a kennel establishment licence and planning approval. Health and building approvals may also be required.
Receipt of renewal notice
If you have registered your dog/s for one or three years, renewal forms will be posted to you at respective intervals, generally towards the end of the year.
Your renewal fee will be included on the form.
You can use the renewal form to update your contact details and address, notify us regarding change of ownership or registration and let us know if your pet has sadly passed away.
Complete and sign the renewal form
Prepare your payment
Cash, card, cheques and money orders are accepted.
Submit your form
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Building,1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra 6208
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Via email mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
Our customer service officers will process your renewal and issue your pet's registration tag.
Attach the registration tag to your dog’s collar
The registration tag helps us reunite you with your pet if they get lost.
Replacement tags
You can purchase a new tag by visiting us at Shire of Murray Administration Office, 1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra 6208 View Map
Fee: $5.50 per teg
Adopting a dog?
If your dog is already registered with the Shire of Murray, please complete our change of details form. Please return this form:
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Building,1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra 6208
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Via email mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
There is no fee for transfer of ownership. Remember, you will also need to update the details associated with the pet’s microchip.
Adopting dogs registered with another local government?
We recommend transferring the registration to the Shire of Murray. Please complete the registration form.
Please return this form:
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Building,1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra 6208
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Via email mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
You will need to provide proof of registration by advising the name of the local government at which the dog is currently registered as well as its existing registration tag number.
There is no fee for transfer of ownership. Remember, you will also need to update the details associated with the pet’s microchip.
Moving to Murray with an already registered dog?
Dog registrations are interchangeable across the state. To transfer your registration please complete our registration form and return it to us by mail, email or in person. No additional fees apply.
Remember to alert the other local government in writing of your change of details and to update the details associated with your pet’s microchip by contacting your vet or the respective registry.
Apply for a Kennel Establishment Licence
Licence application process
Contact the Shire
08 9531 7777
mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
You need to determine if your property has the appropriate zoning permitting the construction and operation of a kennel establishment.
Zoning allows us to control the numbers of dogs that reside in a locality, amenity impacts and nuisance to neighbours.
Our planners will also talk you through the requirements for attaining planning approval. You may also liaise with our building department to obtain the necessary building permit.
Prepare supporting documents
The following must be submitted with your application:
- A site plan of the premises showing the location of the kennels and yards and all other buildings, structures and fences (see application form for example)
- Two (2) copies of plans and specifications of the kennel establishment (see application form for example)
- Copy of notice of proposed use to appear in newspaper, if applicable
- Copy of notice of proposed use to be given to adjoining premises, if applicable
- Written evidence that a person will reside –
- at the premises; or
- sufficiently close to the premises to control the dogs and ensure their health and welfare
Prepare payment
Application fee: $100.00
If applying in person, cash, card, cheque and money orders are accepted.
If applying by post, cheque and money orders are accepted.
Return your completed application to us
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Office, 1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Application processing and notification of outcome
We will process your application. If approved we will post your licence to you. An annual license fee of $200 will be payable.
Display your licence
Please display your licence in a prominent location within the kennel facility.
Transfer licence
Prepare supporting documents
The following must be submitted with your application:
- Written consent from the current licencee for the transfer of the licence to the proposed transferee
- Written evidence that a person will reside –
- At the premises; or
- Sufficiently close to the premises to control the dogs and ensure their health and welfare.
Prepare payment
Transfer Fee: $100.00
If applying in person, cash, card, cheque and money orders are accepted.
If applying by post, cheque and money orders are accepted.
Return your completed application to us
In person: Shire of Murray Administration Office, 1915 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra
By post: PO Box 21, Pinjarra WA 6208
Application processing and notification of outcome
We will process your application and post or email your licence to you.
Display your licence
Please display your licence in a Prominent Location within the kennel facility.
How long is a license valid?
Kennel licenses are renewed yearly.
Each year, we issue a renewal notice advising the applicable fee.
The renewal fee must be paid within 21 days of the notice and the new license must be displayed in a prominent location within the kennel facility.
Changes to kennel kacilities and infrastructure?
You will need to provide a formal written request to vary the license conditions. You will need to submit copies of the associated building and planning approvals.
Dangerous dogs
There are three types of dangerous dogs:
- Dangerous dog (restricted breed)
- Dangerous dog (declared)
- Commercial security dog
Any dog can be a dangerous dog.
Dangerous dog (restricted breed)
Certain breeds of dogs have been identified by the Commonwealth Government as being particularly aggressive. They have been banned from import into Australia and each State and territory has introduced legislation to protect the community from these breeds.
The following breeds are classified as restricted:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
This includes a mix of two or more breeds, one being a restricted breed.
Restricted breeds cannot be bred and must be sterilised and microchipped. It is also an offence to sell, buy or advertise for sale, restricted breed dogs.
Restricted dog breeds cannot be transferred to another owner unless there are exceptional circumstances, including:
- The dog forms part of a deceased estate; or
- The owner is deemed incapable of caring for the dog by a medical practitioner.
Dangerous dog (declared)
A dog can be declared dangerous based on its behaviour, including:
- Causing injury or damage by an attack, or chasing, a person or animal
- Repeatedly showing a tendency to attack or chase, a person, animal or vehicle
- Threatening to attack
If a dog is declared dangerous, our Rangers will issue a written notice to the owner. The declaration takes effect seven days after the notice is given.
Received a notice?
You can appeal a declaration by contacting our Rangers or the State Administrative Tribunal within seven days of the issue of the notice.
You must still implement the protection measures specified in the notice.
Our Rangers can be contacted at:
Requirements for keeping a dangerous dog
- The dog must wear a collar with red and yellow diagonal stripes of 25mm in width. One of these colours must be fluorescent. The width of the collar is dependent on the weight of the dog.
- The dog must be confined to an enclosure that prevents the dog from escaping, from being released or removed by another person without the owner’s permission and that prevents a child less than seven years old from entering or inserting part of their body into the enclosure without the help of an adult.
- Warning signs must be displayed at entrances to area where the dog is kept.
- When in public, the dog is to be muzzled, on a lead (no longer than two metres long) and under the control of an adult (over the age of eighteen years old) capable of controlling the dog.
To view examples of the collar and sign visit the WA Ranger website.
Barking
Talk to your neighbour
Owners are often unaware that their dog is causing a nuisance through barking as they may not be at home when the barking is occurring and, in most cases, will act to rectify the concerns once raised with them.
If you are not comfortable speaking with your neighbour directly, perhaps leave a politely worded, anonymous note in their mailbox, that constructively expresses your concerns.
It is important that you provide dog owners with accurate information on when their dog is causing a nuisance such as:
- Date, time and duration of dog barking
- Reason for dog barking noting what is happening in the area when the dog is barking
- Where the dog is barking (front, back or side of property)
- Other relevant information to assist the dog owner in dealing with the issue.
Please be patient with your neighbour and their dog as addressing behaviour takes time.
Lodge a complaint
If you have a problem with a barking dog in your area and have found that a friendly chat with your neighbour didn’t work, please contact our Ranger Services regarding your concerns, providing as much detail as possible:
online form
08 9531 7777
mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
A Ranger will investigate the concern and pending the situation, may issue a dog control order or infringement notice.
Dog attacks
The owner or person responsible for a dog involved in an attack could be liable for fines up to $10,000, plus costs. Dog attacks must be reported to Ranger Services:
08 9531 7777
mailbag@murray.wa.gov.au
How to assist us when a dog attacks
Dog attacks should be reported as soon as possible so that our Rangers can investigate and take the appropriate action.
You can assist investigations by providing as much detail about the attack as possible, including:
- Time, date and location of the incident
- Who was involved and description of the dog/s involved
- Detailed account of what happened
- Details of injuries including photographic evidence, if applicable
- Copies of vet bills, if applicable
- Copies of medical bills, if applicable
- Witness details.
What happens after I report an attack?
Following a report, our Rangers will:
- Ensure the attacking dog is no longer a threat to the community
- Contact victims and witnesses to gather evidence
- Mediate an outcome for affected parties.
Court action may be taken depending on the circumstances of the attack, including severity of injuries, quality of evidence and history of the attacking animal.
What constitutes a dog attack?
- Aggressively rushing at or harassing any person or animal
- Biting or otherwise causing physical injury to a person or animal
- Tearing clothing on, or otherwise causing damage to the property of, a person
- Attempting to attack, or behaving in such a manner toward a person that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury