LIVESTOCK
Owners of livestock in Denmark are responsible for ensuring their fences and gates are capable of containing their animals within the boundaries of the property.
Livestock wandering onto either public land or other private property may cause accident or injury and owners are liable for any damages. Should rangers be called upon to remove stock from the road or impound livestock the owner will incur poundage fees and an infringement.
WILDLIFE
Wildlife is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). The Walpole office can be contacted on 9840 0400 or otherwise please visit the DBCA website
Dealing with snakes
If you come across a snake in or around your house, do not approach or aggravate it in any way. Presume all snakes are venomous and remember that even non-venomous snakes have sharp teeth and can give a painful bite. Keep children and animals away.
Keep an eye on where it is and contact one of the locally trained and licenced volunteer reptile handlers for removal.
- Levi Freeman: 0400 277 891
- Michelle Woollard 0431 008 795 (located Mount Barker)
- Will White 0431 364 788
And don't forget to give them a donation for their hard work.
If you can't get in contact with a volunteer reptile handler the Shire Rangers can be called out to catch and relocate a snake on your property.
The below fees and charges apply:
| Snake Removal Fees |
Standard Fees |
Pensioner Fees
(50% of Standard Fees)
|
| Call out fee (charged if a Ranger attends but does not remove a snake) |
$30.00 |
$15.00 |
| Snake Removal and Relocation |
|
Normal hours Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm (call out fee incl.)
|
$110.00
(per snake) |
$55.00
(per snake)
|
| Saturday (call out fee incl.) |
$165.00
(per snake) |
$82.50
(per snake)
|
| Sunday (call out fee incl.) |
$220.00
(per snake) |
$110.00
(per snake)
|
Take precautions
Snakes are an integral part of the environment and play an important role in wildlife ecosystems. However, you can discourage snakes and other reptiles from using your property by making your house and garden less attractive to them. The following measures may help to keep reptiles out of your house and garden:
- Keep the garden and sheds tidy and well-maintained, and prune lower branches off of shrubs to remove places for reptiles to shelter.
- Keep food scraps/compost in properly covered bins.
- Block off possible entrances to and access underneath sheds.
- Block off potential entry points to houses by installing screens on doors and windows and blocking small holes, including those between the roof and ceiling. Fit rubber weather seals under doors to deny access to adult snakes. Remember that snakes can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps.
- Control rat and mice numbers in and around houses and sheds.
- Reinforce chicken coops and aviaries to exclude both rodents and large reptiles by covering them completely with mesh that is small enough (<10mm) to stop them from entering - if mice can get in, so could a snake.
- Keep chicken coops and aviaries clean and hygienic.
If you are bitten, call for medical help immediately – call 000 for an ambulance or get someone to take you to the nearest hospital emergency room. Remain calm and apply pressure to the area. If possible, try to identify the snake so that the correct anti-venom can be given.
Learn the correct treatment for snake bite (first aid information from St John) Snake Bite Fact Sheet
Give your dog snake avoidance training
Animal Ark Wildlife Education and Training can be contacted on 0466 688188
https://www.animalark.com.au/snake-avoidance-training-for-dogs
OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS
If you are a Denmark resident who owns rabbits, guinea pigs, rats or mice (and are a domestic breed) they must be kept in a safe and secure enclosure to prevent them from getting out and about.
What is not permitted in residential area
| Sheep |
Horses |
Emus |
Goose or Gander |
| Goats |
Deer |
Ostriches |
Gander |
| Pigs |
Camels |
Kangaroos |
Turkey |
| Alpacas |
Llamas |
Rooster |
Peacock or Peahen |
Chickens
- Maximum 12 chickens per property in townsite area
- All chickens must be in a properly constructed and securely fastened structure or enclosure
- The structure is in a yard having an otherwise unobstructed area of at least 30 square metres
- Chickens must be kept at least 15 metres from a building where people live and work or where food is stored, prepared or manufactured
- Chickens must be kept at least 15 metres from a footpath, street or public place, with the exception of rights-of-way
Kangaroos
If at all possible safely pull a dead kangaroo off the road. If it is still alive and injured contact Dept Parks & Wildlife (DPAW) or a carer immediately to assess the animal, keeping well away as an injured kangaroo can inflict injuries with flaying legs and claws. Always check the underbelly for a pouch in a dead kangaroo. A bulge or movement in an animal that has been dead, even for many hours. may indicate live young. if you do find a joey in a pouch and are confident in removing it please remember these points.
- Never pull the joey off from the teat, it can damage their mouth.
- If the mother is dead, it is best to cut the teat and leave the joey attached to the teat.
- Keep the joey warm and in a dark, quiet area. Wrapping in a towel or jumper alone will not make it warm. Small joeys can be put in a towel and then up the front of a persons jumper or put wrapped joey on a safe reliable heat source like a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. The animal must NOT go directly on o the heat source. Keep away from domestic animals and small children.
- Keep handling to an absolute minimum. Joeys die very easily from stress. They need to get to an experienced carer immediately.
- Do not feed the joey any fluids or food until you have contacted a qualified carer.
If you are not confident in removing a joey from a pouch, please contact Born free Wildlife Carers for help and advice on 0427 772 312
Bees
What if I have problems with bees?
Do not upset or stir them. Leave them alone and call a professional.
Poisons or Baits
Can I put out baits or poisons on my property for pests?
Use of 1080 and strychnine is restricted by law and confined to certain areas of the state, for further information visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website
Before using 1080 or strychnine you need to complete appropriate training, ensure you comply with relevant Acts, Regulations and Legislation, and must apply for and obtain the appropriate permit(s) to purchase these chemicals.
To obtain a permit you must demonstrate to your Biosecurity Officer that you understand and can carry out your responsibilities safely, and that your proposed use does not place non-target species at risk.
The Shire of Denmark is not licenced to use baits or poisons all enquries and permit(s) must be sourced from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
