Holistic Monitoring and Evaluation

Victorias toolbox

A framework for dog population

management Tracy Helman (thanks to Julia Hardaker)

DPM is like making the perfect sausage

You need the right mix!

You need a process!

2

Know your controls

You need to know your area

Diversity

Community

Culture

Know the scale of your problem (Pet Dog Population in Victoria)

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

Registered with councils(2013)

ACAC estimate (2009) Newspoll estimate (2013)

679,564

835,000

1,170,000

Working towards solutions

Victoria

Who can make the laws on animal control (in Victoria)?

Council orders

Councils** have been provided with powers to introduce:

compulsory desexing orders for dogs, cats or both

confinement orders varying from night curfew to 24 hour curfew

allow for off leash and on leash laws in specific council areas

require the cleaning up of animal faeces in certain areas

via resolution under the DAA.

**there are 79 councils in Victoria

State Law:

In Victoria the State Government make:

The Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DAA)

Domestic Animals Regulations 2005

Six mandatory Codes of Practice

The DAA provides a state-wide framework for domestic animal control in Victoria.

What is a legislative framework?

A legislative framework:

What should be included?

The law (requirement) alone is not enough.

LAW or LEGISLATION FRAMEWORK:

Though shalt not let your dog wander

What is the law?

What is the penalty if dont comply?

How will owner know the law?

How will owner be identified?

Who will enforce law?

How will they know the law?

Who pays for enforcement?

What is court of appeal?

Who can pick up dog?

How can they destroy the dog?

Where will dog be?

How can owner get dog back?

Who gets the penalty money?

LEGISLATION as a framework: Domestic Animal Management P lans

Every Council must prepare at a domestic animal management plan, every 4 years.

A plan must: set out a method for evaluating whether the animal control services provided by the Council are adequate to give effect to the requirements of the Legislation.

There are a number of specific provisions required in the Plans to identify programs, services and strategies to promote responsible pet ownership, and to address problems such as; nuisance behaviour, pet overpopulation and high euthanasia rates of impounded animals.

LEGISLATION as a framework - sustainability:

Councils collect a levy of $2.00 per cat and $3.50 per dog registered and $10.00 for every domestic animal business, on behalf of the State Government.

The levy funds a range of research projects and education programs.

Programs and research are undertaken in order to better guide Government policy, legislation and education strategies.

Codes of Practice and Regulations

Enforcement:

The Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DAA) is enforced by the 79 Victorian Local Councils.

Specific sections in relation to petshops and breeders are also enforced by the RSPCA Inspectorate.

Cruelty (POCTA) for domestic animals is enforced by the RSPCA Inspectorate.

What is part of the framework but not part of the law?

Child and Parent Education

Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) education was introduced in primary schools in 2000 (900 visits per year)

Living Safely with Dogs introduced in preschools in 2003 (1800 visits per year)

We are Family introduced in hospitals in April 2008 and in maternal child health centres in 2010 (80 hospitals and 700 MCHC)

Community education

Online courses

Responsible Dog Ownership Course

DEPI Breeder Training Course

Does it work??? Pic dog act and latest version as per sing slide

Too much of a good thing!!!

Whats changed ?

Benchmarking: Cat and dog impoundment rates

Impoundment Averages - grouped councils

5.3

17.0

14.3

10.6

8.2

11.1

4.3

6.2

8.8

5.64.7

5.9

2.7

7.0

15.2

10.2

7.58.5

2.7

4.1

10.7

4.5

6.45.7

-

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Average - Metro Average - OuterMetro

Average - LargeProvincial

Average - Rural 1 Average - Rural 2 State Averages

Council grouping

Ani

mal

s im

poun

ded

per 1

000

hous

ehol

ds

Dogs 2001-02Cats 2001-02Dogs 2005-06Cats 2005-06

Benchmarking: dog impoundment/disposal rates ** one representative pound

Benchmarking: dog bites on children** ** target age group

In Summary: The more advanced your program is the more difficult it is to evaluate. A framework for legislation needs to be relevant to the needs and limitations of the community and enforcement agency. Beware of squeezing the sausage without proper evaluation.

Victorias toolboxDPM is like making the perfect sausageSlide Number 3Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Know the scale of your problem(Pet Dog Population in Victoria) Working towards solutionsWho can make the laws on animal control (in Victoria)?Council orders State Law:What is a legislative framework?A legislative framework:LAW or LEGISLATION FRAMEWORK:Though shalt not let your dog wanderLEGISLATION as a framework: Domestic Animal Management Plans LEGISLATION as a framework - sustainability:Enforcement:What is part of the framework but not part of the law?Child and Parent EducationCommunity educationSlide Number 21Online coursesDoes it work???Pic dog act and latest version as per sing slideToo much of a good thing!!!Whats changed ? Benchmarking:Cat and dog impoundment ratesBenchmarking:dog impoundment/disposal rates ** one representative poundBenchmarking:dog bites on children**** target age groupIn Summary:The more advanced your program is the more difficult it is to evaluate.A framework for legislation needs to be relevant to the needs and limitations of the community and enforcement agency.Beware of squeezing the sausage without proper evaluation.