STATE laws enforced by the City of Ballarat are making it harder for lost dogs to get back to their owners, according to a Bunkers Hill woman who has found an incredible 40 dogs in the past 18 months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Haddon woman Sandy Beach said her preference was to get the dogs back to their owners without involving the council or RSPCA because it saved time and money.
“Most of these dogs have been microchipped, but it’s not foolproof. Vets aren’t allowed to pass on the owner’s details now so the dogs have to go to the pound before they can go back home. I’ve been hounded by the council when I’ve put posters up and things on Facebook.”
Because only two of the dogs found were wearing tags with the owners’ details, she said microchip data should be available without the dog being locked up.
“I used to just get the vet to scan the dogs and then I could take it home myself.
“Now they’ve been threatened with a $7500 fine if they pass on a phone number. It’s ridiculous.”
The RSPCA recommends people who have found a dog to notify them, and then they can make sure the owner is who they say they are.
“We need to make sure the dog is going to the right place,” RSPCA Ballarat animal attendant Katherine Harris said.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au