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                    Animal fines and prosecution

                    Two animal management officers riding bicycles on a path through a park cycle past two people walking dogs and a person walking alone
                    Fines may be issued if an animal management officer reasonably believes an offence has been committed.

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                    Fines

                    For the 2023-24 financial year, animal-related fines range from $95 to $477 depending on the offence. 

                    Fines can be issued under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Activities Local Law 2019.

                    Infringement fines

                    Infringement ​Fine
                    ​Failure to apply to register a dog or cat​$385
                    ​Failure to renew a cat or dog registration
                    ​$385
                    ​Registered dog or cat not wearing council identification marker outside premises​$96
                    ​Dog at large or not securely confined to owner's premises during daytime​$288
                    ​Dog at large or not securely confined to owner's premises during night time
                    ​$385
                    ​Dog or cat being a nuisance ​$96
                    ​Failure to pick up dog waste​$250
                    ​Failing to include declaration of restricted breed at registration​
                    ​$385
                    ​Attack or bite on a person or animal by a dog other than a dangerous dog causing injury that is not in the nature of serious injury
                    ​$481
                    ​Dog or cat on private property after notice of objection served​$96
                    ​Contravening council order relating to presence of dogs and cats in public places (not having your dog on a leash or under effective control off leash)
                    ​$195

                    ​Dog rushing or chasing any person
                    ​$195

                    For a complete list of infringements call us on 03 9658 9658.


                    Pay your fine
                    Includes offences like having your dog off leash or at large, or failure to register your pet (issued under the Domestic Animals Act 1994). Visa and MasterCard only.
                    Includes offences like failing to remove animal waste or having an effective means to remove animal waste (issued under the Activities Local Law 2019). Visa and MasterCard only.

                    Alternatively, you can request an infringement review, request a payment plan or extension or elect to have the matter heard at court.

                    If you don’t act before the due date on your fine, it will continue through the infringements process and more costs will be added. Act now to avoid further costs and enforcement action.

                    If you have lost your fine and need the reference number to pay it, please call us on 9658 9658.


                    Prosecution

                    In some circumstances or with repeat offending, the owner or person responsible may be prosecuted in court, have their dog seized, declared dangerous or menacing or in some instances destroyed.

                    In some cases where there has been a serious injury or death to a victim (person or other animal) as a result of a dog attack, we cannot issue a fine and the matter will be referred directly to court. The City of Melbourne will also refer matters to court where an owner repeats offending.

                    Penalties imposed by the court may include:

                    • fines
                    • payment of court and council costs and any expenses incurred by a victim
                    • being banned from owning a dog for up to 10 years
                    • imprisonment (in extreme circumstances).

                    The City of Melbourne may also choose to declare your dog menacing or dangerous and in some cases the court may order your dog be destroyed. See Court proceedings for information about what to expect at court.


                    Payment arrangements and extensions

                    You can only apply for a payment arrangement or extension if you are the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine. Payment arrangements are only possible for fines issued under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

                    There are three types of payment arrangements and extensions: 

                    • receiving a payment extension 
                    • paying in instalments (if you are eligible) or
                    • requesting a payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    If you wish to apply for a payment arrangement or extension, you must complete an application before the due date or the fine will continue through the infringements process and additional costs may be added.


                    Seeking an extension of time to pay

                    An extension of time to pay may be granted at the City of Melbourne’s discretion. You can apply for a payment extension by completing the form below.

                    Please note: partial payments are not accepted. The full amount is required to finalise the matter.

                    You can also contact us to apply for a payment extension using the details below: 

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In-person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Payment arrangement by instalment

                    Payment arrangements are only possible for fines issued under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

                    You are automatically entitled to request to pay in instalments if you are the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine and have one of the following:

                    • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Centrelink Health Care Card.
                    • Student Card
                    • Seniors Card

                    We are unable to offer a payment arrangement by instalment if you:

                    • haven’t provided a copy of your eligible card with your application
                    • are not the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine
                    • have requested a review of your fine and are awaiting the outcome
                    • have been issued with Notice of Final Demand.

                    You can request to pay in instalments if you meet the eligibility requirements above. Please have any supporting documentation ready before you start. 

                    ​You can also contact us to receive a copy of this application form:

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658 

                    In person: 
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    You may request the City of Melbourne refer fines issued under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to Fines Victoria to manage as part of a payment arrangement.

                    A payment arrangement allows you to pay one or more fines in monthly or fortnightly instalments. 

                    In order for this to occur, you must have a have a current payment arrangement registered with Fines Victoria and be the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine

                    You will also need to provide us with the following:

                    • Payment arrangement number (given to you by Fines Victoria)
                    • Fine number/s
                    • Infringement Number/s
                    • Full name
                    • Address
                    • Preferred contact number
                    • Email address

                    To apply, please complete this form:

                    ​You can also contact us to apply using the details below: 

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Seeking an extension of time to pay

                    An extension of time to pay may be granted at the City of Melbourne’s discretion.

                    To apply, please contact the City of Melbourne.

                    Phone: 9658 9658

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.

                    Pay in instalments

                    You are automatically entitled to an instalment payment plan if you have one of the following:

                    • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Centrelink Health Care Card.

                    You must be the person issued with and named on the notice and provide a photocopy of your Centrelink card.

                    We don’t offer instalment payment plans if you:

                    • haven’t provided a copy of your Centrelink card with your application
                    • are not the person issued with and named on the fine
                    • have requested a review of your fine and are awaiting the outcome
                    • have been issued with Notice of Final Demand.

                    To apply, complete the application form (PDF 54 KB) and send it to the City of Melbourne with a copy of your Centrelink card before the due date to avoid additional costs.

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.

                    Payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    You may request a payment arrangement to pay outstanding fines.

                    It’s our policy that before you can request one, you must have a current payment arrangement registered with Fines Victoria and be the person issued with and named on the fine.

                    To apply, you’ll need to provide us with the following before the due date to avoid additional costs:

                    • Fine number/s
                    • Payment arrangement number (given to you by Fines Victoria)
                    • Full name
                    • Address
                    • Preferred contact number
                    • Email address

                    You can send this to the City of Melbourne.

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

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