Owning a pet in Benalla Rural City comes with key responsibilities to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of both pets and the wider community. The Domestic Animal Act 1994 requires all cats and dogs over the age of three months to be registered and microchipped with the Council in the municipality in which it is kept.

This page provides essential information on pet registration, ownership guidelines, and animal control measures, as well as resources to assist with responsible pet management. By adhering to these rules, residents contribute to a safe and harmonious environment for everyone in Benalla.

This table shows the current schedule of fines, which are subject to change by the Victorian Dept of Justice on 1 July each year:

Offence	Fine
Failure to register your dog or cat with the Council	$395
Failure to renew dog or cat registration with the Council	$395
Dog not securely confined to owners’ premises – day	$296
Dog not securely confined to owners’ premises – night	$395
Cat not securely confined to owners’ premises	$99
Dog or cat causing a nuisance	$99
Dog or cat not wearing Council registration tag	$99
Dog rushing or chasing any person	$198
Non-serious injury caused by dog attack	$494
Dog off leash in a public place	$198

If you lose your dog or cat and we pick it up, we won’t charge you a release fee for the first time if your animal is registered with Benalla Rural City Council. If it’s not the first time, you may be charged a release fee.

Pet Registration

All dogs and cats over the age of three months must be registered annually by 10 April.

The Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires all dogs and cats over the age of three months to be microchipped and registered with their local Council. It is also a requirement that the issued registration tag be worn at all times when outside the property.

If you have a new animal, please ensure you have the microchip details with you when you call or visit to register your pet. To claim a discount or concession, proof of sterilisation, registration with an approved breed society or concession card details are required.

Download the Animal Registration form(PDF, 280KB) NOTE – create this as an online form and display here

Assistance Dog Registration

If you have an assistance dog, you may be eligible for an exemption from pet registration fees. Proof of certification is required for this exemption. 

To be eligible for a fee exemption, your assistance dog must meet the following requirements:

• Have complete obedience training and be trained to perform tasks or functions that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of his or her disability (as per the EO Act definition).
• be desexed.
• be at least 12 months of age.
• Be certificate as required from a medical practitioner confirming the need for an assistant dog.

An exemption will not apply in the following circumstances:

• if the assistance dog is a declared dangerous, menacing, or restricted breed.
• if the owner of an assistance dog has been convicted of two or more offences under the DA Act, with respect to the same assistance dog.

 To apply for a fee exemption download the Assistance Dog Registration Form(DOC, 202KB) and return the completed form to us by mail, email or in person. 

Change of details

Maximum Number of Pets

The Benalla Rural City Community Local Law details the maximum number of animals that you can keep on your property.

In rural areas, there may be some exceptions to these maximum number of pets.

If you need to exceed the number of any of the types of animals described in the below table, you will be required to submit an excess animal registration form. Contact the Council to obtain an application or to ask for more information.

Type of Animal	Maximum allowed
Dogs	2
Cats	2
Poultry	8 Fowls or 2 Turkeys or 2 Geese or 2 Ducks
Pigeons	Permit Required
Domestic Birds	10
Guinea Pigs	6
Domestic Rabbits	2
Agricultural animals	Nil
Roosters	Nil
Ferrets	6
Large Birds	Nil
Pigs	Nil
Other animal types	None allowed except as determined by the Council. Please submit an individual application for a permit.

Nuisance Animals

Combat issues such as barking dogs, trespassing cats, or wandering pets by following these tips:

• Communicate directly with the pet owner.
• Log ongoing incidents.
• Contact the Council for further action.

If your relationship with your neighbour is strained, the Dispute Settlement Centre can provide advice and mediation. 

Visit the Dispute Settlement Centre to contact the service.

All dogs bark, but some barking dogs become a real neighbourhood nuisance – greatly reducing the quality of life for their neighbours. Should any of the above approaches be unsuccessful, the Council may take action under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Tips for dealing with your own barking dog

Dogs may bark for a number of reasons including:

• To warn that someone is entering their territory (your property)
• Boredom
• Distractions, such as birds flying over, possums, cats, other dogs or children
• Separation anxiety (loneliness)
• Hyperactivity (lack of regular exercise)
• Barking is often a dog’s way of seeking attention from its owner
• Fear of people, objects or other dogs
• Dogs bark when there is a threat to their territory
• Some breeds have a reputation for barking

The most important first step is to work out why your dog is barking. Once you know the cause you can find the cure.

If your dog is barking and you think it might become an issue for your neighbours, it is a great idea to start a dialogue with your neighbour. If you know there is a problem, a conversation might harbour patience while you deal with the issues underlying your dog’s behaviour.

Some tips for combatting dog barking include:

• Remove any distractions (covering any holes in the fence)
• Socialise the dog
• Ensure it has regular exercise and that you spend time with it
• Supply toys or other items to reduce boredom
• Participate in obedience training
• Consider anti-barking collars

It may also be worthwhile to seek advice from your vet or a professional dog trainer.

Wandering Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs are not allowed to trespass on other people’s property under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

People have the right to object to dogs and cats being on their property without permission.

As with barking dogs, we encourage neighbours to communicate amicably about issues. If this doesn’t resolve the issue and it becomes a dispute, the Dispute Settlement Centre can help to mediate issues.

If trespassing animals continue to be a problem, under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Council’s local laws, owners of nuisance animals may be subject to fines.

If a dog or cat is on your property without permission, you can notify the Council. 

Domestic Animal Rules

• Dog Control: Keep dogs on a leash in public spaces unless in designated off-leash areas.
• Cat Containment: Cats must remain confined to the owner’s property at all times.
• Maximum Pets Allowed: Residential properties can keep up to two dogs and two cats without an excess animal permit.

Fines

Non-compliance can lead to fines, such as $395 for failure to register your pet or $198 for dogs off-leash in public areas.

Lost Pets

Ensure your pet’s registration details are up-to-date to assist in speedy reunification. Impounded animals may be held for up to 24 hours before being transported to the RSPCA.

Benalla Rural City Council is committed to clarity and accessibility in its laws. Should you require further information or assistance, contact us at council@benalla.vic.gov.au or call 03 5760 2600.