Owners of restricted dog breeds, dangerous dogs, or non-desexed cats, required to buy annual permits

The changes brought in state-wide, starting next month, have been introduced in the hopes the extra hip-pocket hit will encourage responsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare.

The annual permit will require the owners who haven't desexed their cats before they turn four months old to pay an $80, in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Owners of restricted breed dogs or those formally declared to be dangerous will have to fork out $195 annually for their permit, once again in addition to the one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Liverpool Plains Shire Council said owners can pay for the permits at council's Administration Centre, or online here.

The aim of the permits is to create a stronger incentive to desex cats and help to address community concerns about feral, stray, and roaming cats and their effect on wildlife.

Restricted dog breeds are the pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Argentinian fighting dog, Brazilian fighting dog, and canary mastiff.

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If you are a breeder, join a recognised cat breeding body. Cats that cannot be desexed, either temporarily or permanently, are exempt from paying an annual permit, but a certificate from your vet is required to qualify for this exemption.

Pet owners risk an on-the-spot fine of $700 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $400 for non-desexed cats if they fail to get the permit.

If taken to court, maximum penalties of $6,600 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $5,500 for non-desexed cats may apply.