Overstrand Municipality reminds all dog owners that responsible pet ownership is essential for the safety of residents, visitors and other animals.

The Municipality has recently received concerns from residents about dogs that are not properly secured on private properties, dogs being walked off-leash in public places, and incidents involving aggressive dogs.

Dog owners are reminded that they have a legal responsibility to:

* Keep dogs safely contained on their property
* Keep dogs on a leash in public areas, unless otherwise permitted
* Prevent dogs from becoming a nuisance or posing a danger to people or other animals
* Clean up after their dogs in public places

Residents who witness possible contraventions of the Keeping of Dogs By-law are encouraged to report these to the Municipality. When reporting an incident, please provide the location, date and time, a brief description of what occurred, and photographs where available.

Where appropriate, reports may be investigated by the relevant municipal officials, and enforcement action may be taken in terms of the applicable by-law.

The Municipality also encourages residents to familiarise themselves with the Keeping of Dogs By-law (https://www.overstrand.gov.za/document/bylaws/) and to work together to promote responsible pet ownership and safer public spaces for everyone.

To report a by-law contravention:
1. Log a service request on the Overstrand Municipality Citizen App; or
2. Contact Overstrand Law Enforcement Department on 028 313 8996.