Darwin Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer has released a statement to residents in the area to lock up their cats and dogs as of July 1, 2008.

Darwin City Council is introducing by-laws affecting dog and cat owners, having received a high number of complaints over the years.

“We want to balance your right to own a pet with the community’s need for safety, amenity and quiet,” said the Lord Mayor. “To address this issue, Council has reviewed and amended its by-laws. To back that up, a comprehensive Animal Management Plan has been developed to act as a practical guide outlining how Council manages our pets within Darwin.”

Among the changes taking place, all dogs and cats in the Darwin municipality will have to be registered and micro-chipped. Owners wishing to microchip their animals can do so at the RSPCA, Berrimah, for $30. Owners will be held accountable if their dog is guilty of an offence, and will face a fine of up to $11,000 for an individual or $110,000 for businesses.