Council & Politics
25 October, 2025
Wandering dogs remain a concern
RESIDENTS across Stawell and surrounding areas continue to raise concerns over dogs escaping their yards, with community Facebook pages regularly featuring posts about runaway pets. While it can be a worrying and frustrating situation for locals trying to reunite dogs with their owners, the Northern Grampians Shire Council says efforts to reduce incidents are showing results.
Mayor Karen Hyslop said the number of pets wandering has declined in the 2024–25 year thanks to increased patrols and targeted compliance.
But Cr Hyslop said there are still at least three reports or roaming dogs each week.
Council’s draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025–2029 recently closed for community feedback, setting out a strategy to promote responsible pet ownership and faster response times.
“Your input is vital in shaping a plan that reflects the needs and values of our community,” Cr Hyslop said.
While overall complaints surround loose animals have eased, dog attacks peaked in 2024–25, prompting council to strengthen its enforcement and education measures.
“Council will investigate all reported attacks thoroughly, issue infringements where appropriate, and promote awareness of responsible pet ownership and dog behaviour management. In some instances, dog attacks are escalated to court for prosecution,” Cr Hyslop said.
In addition the Northern Grampians Shire is also looking at improving its staff training when faced with challenges.
“Council also enforces off-leash laws in public spaces and maintains a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous or menacing dog behaviour. To continue with our improvement strategy, our Community Safety Officers are supported through ongoing training and performance reviews to ensure they are equipped to manage these challenges effectively,” she said.
Cr Hyslop said the message remains simple, caring for the wellbeing of your pets improves the community as a whole.
“Council hopes that through education, enforcement, and community collaboration, we can reduce the number of pets wandering at large and prevent incidents of harm. We encourage all pet owners to take proactive steps to secure their properties, register their animals, and engage with council’s resources to help build a safer and more harmonious community.”
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