THERE has been a spike in the number of serious dog attacks in the past couple of weeks, says chair of Orange City Council companion animals community committee councillor Neil Jones .
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Cr Jones said the committee was informed of the increase this week when its members met with council building and environment manager Mark Hodges.
“There are a lot of people who are not doing the right thing,” Cr Jones said.
He said the increase was of concern to committee members, council staff and the wider community.
“At the moment there are a lot of large dogs roaming around neighbourhoods and not being contained.”
“Council staff are doing their best to intervene and respond to call outs but dogs are getting out of yards and this comes as a high risk to people, children and other dogs.”
Cr Jones said it was important for council to make sure people knew their responsibilities as dog owners.
According to Cr Jones council is in the process of producing a series of leaflets about responsible pet ownership that will outline the consequences of not being a responsible dog owner.
Cr Jones said council will also be working with other agencies such as the RSPCA to encourage people to desex their dogs and council had put aside money from its budget to promote animal desexing.
Cr Jones said RSPCA staff told committee members while there had been an increase in the number of animal adoptions, there had also been an increase in the number of unwanted animals at the shelter.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au