Pet owners are furious that Maribyrnong council has rejected their appeals against $295 fines for late pet registration.
Star Weekly reported in June that pet owners were livid at the fines after receiving no reminder letters or follow-up phone calls over the original renewal notices.
Adding to the anger for many was that they claimed a council officer called at their homes and told them there would be no fine provided they paid the overdue amount immediately.
The council issued 67 fines for failing to renew the registration of pets, about 75 per cent relating to dogs, the remainder to unregistered cats.
After 23 people requested reviews, the council withdrew four infringements.
Yarraville resident Rachael Cassar said the pro-forma rejection letter was riddled with mistakes such as the year and the circumstances of payment.
“This is very disappointing; there are a lot of angry people out there,” she said.
Yarraville’s Lana Schwarcz said she intended to lodge a formal complaint with the Victorian Ombudsman.
“When it first arose I had not received a renewal notice, even though the council said they did send one,” she said.
“When the animal management person came I was told not to worry, it will be fine, you just need to pay. So I paid and two weeks later received a letter with a $295 fine.”
Ms Schwarcz said she had always paid her pet registration on time or early.
“I’d think there would be a little bit of grace given – $295 is basically what you would pay if you were speeding or ran a red light,” she said.
“It’s an utterly ridiculous amount for an oversight of a $50 fee.
“It feels antagonistic, nasty, mean-spirited and money-grubbing.”
Maribyrnong council sustainable development director Nigel Higgins said more than 9000 renewal notices were sent in February, giving advanced notice of the April 10 registration renewal date.
“It’s the responsibility of the owner to ensure the registration is paid by the expiry date,” he said. “Our pet owners are extremely responsible and more than 99 per cent renew registrations before the due date.
“But we will consider introducing an opt-in electronic reminder service next year.”
