Dogs have been in the news too often lately for the wrong reasons, according to Ross Burton, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), animal welfare director.

He said all dogs need to be under effective control, whether they are pets or working dogs.

This is required under the Companion Animals Act 1998, administered by the NSW Department of Local Government.

At the same time dogs need to be properly cared for, and preferably trained, in keeping with the animal welfare standards expected by the public and underpinned by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

NSW DPI has a set of guidelines for working dogs on its website, in the Animal Welfare section, which provides commonsense pointers on appropriate care.

Mr Burton said the guidelines recognised that working dogs – sheep dogs, cattle dogs or hunting dogs – played a different role to suburban pets.

“Nevertheless working dogs require good food, shelter and veterinary care,” he said.

“A dog exhibiting bad habits may be bored and needing attention or training by its handler.

“Fortunately, most owners recognise the partnership they share with their working dogs, and know the best way to get the job done is to have healthy, well-cared for animals.”

Mr Burton said one issue was causing confusion – the question of electronic dog collars, especially ‘remote’ trainers, where an electric collar worn by the dog is activated by a control device some distance away.

“These collars have sometimes been used, for example, as a way of correcting a sheep dog which has developed the bad habit of biting sheep.

“Remote electronic devices are not legal in NSW under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“This is different to other States.

“If you see an advertisement anywhere for these devices, you need to remember laws differ from State to State, and what might be legal elsewhere can be illegal in NSW.

“In NSW, electric shock training is discouraged,” he said.

If in doubt, contact NSW DPI’s Animal Welfare Branch on (02) 6331 3682, Mr Burton said.

Contact Ross Burton, Orange, (02) 6391 3324, or visit www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/awpamphlet/working-dogs-code.htm