KEEPING ANIMALS

Residents in the Auburn Local Government Area can keep an unlimited number of pets, provided they do not cause a nuisance through inadequate containment, noise or bad hygiene.

Restrictions

If Auburn City Council receives complaints about your animals, then Council may impose restrictions on the number of animals you are allowed to keep.

Restrictions are considered when:

• The animal is not properly constrained by fencing or enclosures keeping the animal contained within the property at all times. When on a street or in a public place all dogs must be on a chain, cord or leash. Dogs found roaming the streets will be impounded. Council Rangers may issue on the spot fines to owners or persons in control of dogs for numerous offences.
• Animals are generating an offensive noise as defined under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
• Bad hygiene that unreasonably affects the health and wellbeing of occupants, nearby residents and the animal such as accumulation of faeces and inadequate disposal of faeces, accumulation of stale or rotten food, attraction of rodents and flies, infestation of fleas, ticks and other parasites, unreasonable accumulation of hair, fur or skin, inadequate drainage and keeping and exercising animals on poorly drained ground surfaces and the unreasonable existence of odours. A dog may not defecate in a public place without immediate removal.

If a problem regarding an animal has been identified and this problem cannot be resolved through mediation, Auburn City Council may issue a Notice of Intention to serve an Order.

An Order is an instruction from Council to comply with restrictions imposed. Normally, the animal owner will be given every opportunity to make a representation to Council before the formal order is issued.

In situations that constitute a serious risk to public health or safety, an emergency issue may be issued without prior notice.

Off leash areas

Visit the Off leash dog exercise areas page for further information.  

Fines and penalties

• Unregistered dog
• Unleashed dog
• Not informing Auburn City Council of changed ownership or address details
• Exercising an unmuzzled greyhound
• Dog in a public place not under the effective control of a competent person
• Dog in a prohibited place
• Dog defecating in a public place without removal
• Dog making an offensive noise

Keeping animals commercially

If you are planning to keep animals for commercial purpose, then you may be required to obtain development consent from Auburn City Council.

Please contact Auburn City Council on (02) 9735 1222 for more information.