Animal Requests

Use this service to report an animal-related issue or make a request to the Devonport City Council. Whether you are reporting a stray dog, a nuisance complaint, or another animal concern, providing accurate and detailed information is essential.

Please select the most relevant category below to ensure our Animal Control Officers can investigate and respond to your request promptly and effectively.

RequestContent
Dogs at LargeA dog is considered to be 'at large' if it is in a public place and not under the effective control of a responsible person. Reporting dogs wandering at large is important for the safety of the community and the welfare of the dog itself.

For Urgent or Emergency Situations

If the dog is acting aggressively, has attacked a person or another animal, or is causing an immediate traffic hazard, please do not use the online form. Call Council's Customer Service Centre immediately.
  • Business Hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm):
  • After Hours Emergency: Call and follow the prompts for our on-call service.

For Non-Urgent Sightings

For all other sightings of a roaming or stray dog, please proceed with the report. The more detail you can provide, the greater the chance our Animal Control Officers have of locating the animal and returning it to its owner. Please provide key information such as:
  • The exact location, date, and time the dog was seen.
  • A detailed description of the dog (e.g., breed, size, colour, markings, collar).
  • The direction the dog was travelling.
  • If you have managed to safely contain the dog in your yard, please state this clearly in the report and provide your best contact number.
Click here to report a Dog at Large
Pests in Public PlacesThis service is for reporting issues with certain pest animals on Council-owned or managed public land, such as parks, nature reserves, and roadsides. This may include animals like feral cats, rabbits, or rodents causing a public health or environmental nuisance.

Council's Role vs. Private Property
Please be aware that Devonport City Council is only responsible for pest management on land that it owns or controls.
  • Private Property: The management and control of any pest animal on private property is the responsibility of the landowner or tenant. If you have a pest problem on your property, you should engage the services of a licensed professional pest controller.
  • Public Land: Council will investigate reports of pests on public land and take action where appropriate and feasible.
Nuisance Native wildlife 
Native animals, including possums, wallabies, snakes, and birds (such as magpies or plovers during breeding season), are protected under Tasmanian law. Council does not trap or relocate native wildlife. For any issues or advice regarding native animals, please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas).

How to Lodge a Report
When reporting a pest issue on public land, please provide as much detail as possible to help our officers investigate effectively:
  • The exact location of the issue (e.g., name of park, nearest street address or cross-street).
  • The type of animal and the approximate number, if known.
  • A clear description of the problem (e.g., "rabbit warren undermining a footpath," "evidence of rats near public bins").

Click here to submit a Pests in Public Places request
Remove Dead Animal requestCouncil provides a service for the prompt and respectful removal of deceased animals from public land. This includes roads, footpaths, nature strips, parks, and beaches within the Devonport municipal area.

Safety Information:
For your health and safety, please do not touch or attempt to move a deceased animal. Animals can carry diseases, and removing an animal from a roadway can place you at risk from traffic. Our trained staff have the correct equipment to carry out the removal safely. Our Removal Service
  • Public Land: This service is for the removal of animals from public property only.
  • Private Property: The removal of a deceased animal from private property is the responsibility of the property owner or resident. You may wish to contact a local veterinary clinic for advice on appropriate disposal services.
  • Domestic Pets: If the deceased animal is a dog or cat, our officers will scan for a microchip. If a microchip is present and the owner's details are registered, we will make every effort to contact them.
Lodge a Removal Request To help our crew respond quickly, providing an accurate location is the most important part of your report. Please be as specific as possible.

Key information to include:
  • A precise location (e.g., "outside 34 Forbes Street," "on the footpath near the Mersey Bluff playground," or "in the eastbound lane of the Victoria Bridge").
  • The type of animal, if you can safely identify it (e.g., wallaby, cat, possum).
  • Any other details that will help our crew find it easily.

Click here to submit a Remove Dead Animal request
Aggressive or Dangerous Dog An aggressive dog incident is one where a dog displays aggressive behaviour, but without immediate intent of harm to a person or another animal. You can report a dog that is behaving aggressively, or that you think might be dangerous. Please note:
  • Without contact details and adequate evidence, including a statement of the incident, Council may not be able to take appropriate enforcement action.
  • Any photos provided should be time and date stamped if possible.

Click here to report an aggressive or dangerous dog
Lost AnimalsDogs
Devonport City Council’s animal management service collects lost dogs found within the municipality. You may contact Devonport City Council to report other lost animals including cats or livestock and we will endeavour to assist where we can. Stray dogs are then taken to the Devonport Dogs – Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania. Racecourse Road, Spreyton  TAS  7310 Phone: (03) 6427 2178 To report directly with Dogs’ Home of Tasmania a lost or found dog please click on the link: Report Lost or Found Dog - Dogs' Homes of Tasmania

Cats
If you have found a stray cat or kitten, you can take the cat to a local vet to scan for a microchip or to a cat management facility: Cat Management Facilities | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania For detailed information on Lost or Found animals please click the Help button above to be directed to Council's web page.

Click here to submit a Animal Lost / Found Request
Report a Dog AttackIf a dog attacks a person or other animal, you should report it to us immediately so we can act as soon as possible. A dog attack is defined as a dog rushing at, attacking, biting, harassing or chasing any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal.

Click here to report a dog attack
General Animal EnquiriesIf you have any animal related questions you can submit a request and council will return your enquiry.

Click here to make a General Animal Enquiry
Kennel LicencesIf you have questions about kennels please submit a request and we will get back to you.

Click here to submit a Kennel License request
Nuisance AnimalsCouncil can assist residents if they have issues with nuisance animals, this includes smell or noise. Should you have issues with nuisance animals you can contact the Council on 03 6424 0511 to discuss the matter with the Environmental Health Department.

Submit a Nuisance Animal request


Should your complaint be in relation to an excessively barking dog you will be required to complete Notice of Complaint Nuisance Created by A Dog Form which includes a seven-day diary to assist gather evidence. A prescribed fee applies to lodging this form with Council. Once the offence has been determined and the complaint verified the prescribed free can be refunded.

Click here to submit a Barking Dog request