FAQs

The Dog Management Policy is an important document. The Policy:

• outlines what it means to be a responsible dog owner,
• shows where and when dogs can and cannot be exercised,
• determines how the City should enforce responsible dog ownership, and
• ensures the City of Hobart complies with the Dog Control Act 2000.

There will be two main opportunities for the community to provide feedback on a new Dog Management Policy.

Engagement Opportunity 1 - general feedback on new Dog Management Policy

From 8 - 28 April, the Hobart community will be asked what they think about the current Dog Management Policy (2019-2023). This includes:

• Code of Dog Ownership
• Declared areas (where dogs can be exercised on- and off-lead, and restricted areas)
• Dog registration and fees
• Dangerous dogs
• Captured animals
• Environmental protection
• How the policy is enforced

Once this engagement period has closed, all feedback will inform changes that need to be made to the Dog Management Policy. The Policy will then go to the Hobart City Council for their endorsement that the new draft policy can be released to the community for feedback.

Engagement Opportunity 2 - feedback on new draft Dog Management Policy and Declared Areas

In September and October (dates may change), the community will be asked what they think of the newly proposed changes to the new draft Dog Management Policy and Declared Areas.

Declared areas are where dogs can and cannot be exercised on-lead and off-lead.

Once this engagement period has closed, feedback on Declared Areas will be incorporated into the final draft Policy, and go back to the Hobart City Council for their endorsement.

New Policy (and Declared Areas) advertised

Once the new Dog Management Policy has been finalised and endorsed, any changes to Declared Areas will be advertised for at least 20 working days.

The above engagement process is in alignment with the Dog Control Act 2000.

The City has recently sought community feedback on several projects that discuss dog management and Hobart's parks and natural spaces. These are the South Hobart Oval and Park and on Hobart's Open Spaces. 

Please be assured that all feedback that was given in these engagements will be considered in updating the Dog Management Policy.

Of course, you are very welcome to provide your feedback again if you would like to.

You can read the City of Hobart's current Dog Management Policy (2019-2023) at the two below locations:

1. Download here from the Your Say page.
2. On the City of Hobart website: https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Council/Strategies-and-plans/Dog-Management-Policy