YARRIAMBIACK Shire Council has introduced a policy on dangerous dogs following a spate of dog attacks in the shire.
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Council implemented a dog attack prevention policy at its meeting on Wednesday.
Community services manager Gavin Blinman said under the policy, anyone who moved to the shire with a dangerous dog could be asked to move on.
"We want people to feel safe when they walk down the street," he said.
"If a dog is declared dangerous, we don't want it here.
"It is important for the community to know council is doing something to protect them."
In his report to council, Mr Blinman outlined multiple attacks on sheep at Brim.
"This investigation is ongoing as the offending dog has not been located," he said.
Mr Blinman said council also had issues with dogs at Murtoa, with one dog being seized after it rushed at a community member.
The new policy will include educating school children and the community about what to do in a dog attack and how to identify dangerous dogs.
Mr Blinman said it could be difficult to determine if dangerous dogs were in the shire.
"People moving to the shire with a dangerous dog are meant to tell us, but people aren't always responsible," he said.
"Often we don't know that a dog is declared dangerous until it has committed an offence.
"It will be up to the community to let us know if they see a dangerous dog."
Mr Blinman said dogs would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
"There could be a little fluffy dog that killed a chook and is declared dangerous, but would never harm a person," he said.
"Not every dog is the same, but it is important to have the policy in place."
Cr Terry Grange said dog owners should also be educated about how to raise dogs.
"A lot of time it is not the animal, it's how it is brought up," he said.
"They aren't born vicious they are brought up that way."
Under the policy, if a declared dangerous or restricted breed dog is to be registered within the shire, a $500 fee will apply each year.