AFTER a number of years without a dog-catcher, a ranger position may be part of a restructure at Balranald Shire Council.
Currently, there are no qualified staff in council to deal with stray or dangerous dogs. In the event of an incident, available staff may retrieve the animal.
Cr Trevor Jolliffe has lobbied council constantly to create a role for a ranger. He said it may encourage dog owners to be more watchful of their pets and restrain them overnight.
“It is an issue and we have got to get on top of it,” he said.
“It could have been years [since there was a ranger]… we haven’t had one since I came on to council, so that is at least two years, but I am not sure prior to that.
“I have had a few complaints with dogs running around town and have brought it to council several times, but I think because they are under-financed they are trying to do it cheaply.
“They have been putting [resource sharing] up as an answer to my questions… but nothing has eventuated as yet.”
Cr Jolliffe also put the matter to council at the June meeting and said other stray animals had also become a problem, reporting concern among some shop owners “that they had been over-run with cats”.
“We need someone on foot or in a vehicle to take care of this matter,” he said at the time.
Meanwhile, a 61-year-old woman was allegedly bitten by a dog while walking down River Street with her granddaughter in February.
General manager Aaron Drenovski is undertaking a review of council’s organisational structure, with a draft to be brought to the August meeting.
He would not comment on specific changes, but said he is looking to include a ranger.
“Council has, in the current financial year budget, $50,000 towards a ranger or dog-catcher,” he said.
“I intend to incorporate it into the new structure, there is the potential for a shared role or even possibilities for sharing with another council.
“There have been previous discussions with an adjoining council about the role.”
The Guardian understands Balranald Shire Council has been in discussions in this capacity with Wakool Shire Council.
Mr Drenovski said the role would most likely be part-time or dual role with other responsibilities, but a contractual position or shared resources with another council were also possible.
