Homeless people in a Queensland council area have been banned from owning pets in a major new crackdown because the cost to taxpayers was said to be too high.
The new legislation to implement the ban was proposed by Moreton Bay City Mayor Peter Flannery and passed by a unanimous vote of council on December 12.
Mayor Flannery said the council was taking action against homeless people camping in public areas after receiving “hundreds” of complaints from locals.
He said the sharp rise in homelessness in the council area had led to a sharp decline in public health, safety and amenities.
Moreton Bay Council estimates there are currently around 200 homeless people in its ward, and approximately 30 dogs it owns.
A council spokesperson claimed the number had increased by 90 per cent in the last 10 years.
“In the last two years there has been a 250 per cent increase in referrals to the council from rough sleepers,” the spokesperson he told the courier email.
“We have received continuous feedback from the community about the significant increase in illegal behavior in public places, including assaults, fights and use of dangerous weapons, drug and alcohol abuse, dog attacks and fires that put everyone, including sleeping people, out in the open, at great risk.
Homeless people are no longer allowed to have pets after a crackdown led by Moreton Bay City Mayor Peter Flannery.
Mayor Peter Flannery (pictured) introduced the legislation which was approved by a unanimous council vote after receiving “hundreds” of public safety complaints from residents.
Mayor Flannery insisted that it was not safe for homeless people to own dogs.
“Public safety concerns are increasing in some municipal parks and we have received hundreds of calls from residents and visitors expressing serious concerns,” he said in a statement.
He said the council had been “lenient” in the past towards homeless people on the issue.
“These dogs are now attacking each other because they’re not restrained, they’re attacking people, they’re attacking other homeless people,” the mayor said. he told ABC.
“We’ve been a little lenient, as we have with other public camping policies, but we’re getting to the point where the number of incidents outweighs the benefits.”
Moreton City Bay Council’s spokesperson reiterated the mayor’s claim that keeping animals in public spaces was unsafe and breached local laws.
“This is consistent with our local laws for all members of our community,” they added. “All animals in public spaces must be kept under effective control at all times.”
The new rules completely prohibit homeless people from owning dogs and also include new guidelines on “camping in public spaces in caravans, caravans and other vehicles equipped for camping,” the spokesperson added.
Under the new laws, anyone camping in public areas and those sleeping in vans will no longer be able to have pets. Failure to comply carries a fine of $8,605
Municipal workers in Moreton Bay began handing out enforcement notices on Dec. 17 ordering homeless people to stop sleeping in vans.
The notices threaten fines of up to $8,065 for anyone who does not comply.
Any homeless person who does not stop having pets will face the same fine.
Shani, a Brisbane woman, said she immediately noticed an abandoned dog someone had left in a public park after the notices started circulating.
“I knew immediately that it had been abandoned,” he said. he told YahooNews.
“I ran home to drop off my dog and then came back to check on him. He was still there. The leash he was on had slipped off.
Homeless advocates are now calling for amendments to the legislation that would allow people sleeping rough to apply for pet permits.
Brisbane local Shani said she immediately noticed dogs being abandoned after enforcement notices began circulating on December 17.
A petition, started by local Stephen Bartholomew, hopes to overturn the ban and has already attracted more than 13,000 signatures.
Calls for homeless people in public spaces and those who live in vans to be able to keep their pets by registering them with the relevant government agencies.
“When you have over 10,000 signatures in less than 72 hours supporting the amendments requested in this petition, it becomes VERY clear that the council, state and federal government need to work with the community, not just sweep it under the rug between each other,” said Mr. Bartholomew wrote on social media.
‘These are very fair and reasonable requests for amendment. So advice, listen to what over 10,000 people are requesting. And make amends.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Moreton City Bay Council for comment.