Moree Plains Shire Council Manager of Planning and Regulatory Services Karl Bock and Manager Environment and Compliance Scott Bastow, who have been appointed to oversee Council’s in-house ranger and regulatory services. Image: Moree Plains Shire Council.
Moree Plains Shire Council has brought three ranger positions in-house as it moves towards a more proactive response to stray and roaming animals across the Shire.
Two of the positions have been filled and both appointed rangers have started work, while recruitment is continuing for the third. The roles were previously delivered through contracted services.
Council said bringing the service in-house would allow the rangers to undertake regular patrols, develop stronger local knowledge and respond more consistently to animal-management and compliance matters.
The team’s immediate priority will be stray and roaming dogs, but its responsibilities will also include overgrown lots, illegal dumping, parking enforcement and other compliance work across the Moree Plains Shire.
The rangers will also respond to urgent matters after hours and on weekends.
Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse said bringing ranger services back into Council had been a long-term goal.
“Having our own Rangers has always been Council’s goal. Employing people who live in our communities means they understand local issues, can build relationships with residents and provide a more responsive service,” Cr Pearse said.
“Importantly, our in-house team will also be available to respond to urgent Ranger matters after hours and on weekends, providing the community with a more consistent and reliable service when it is needed most.”
Council received 49 reports of dog attacks across the Moree Plains Shire between March and June 2026. The figure refers to attacks reported to Council and does not necessarily mean every report was investigated or confirmed.
Council has not said the ranger restructure was prompted by those reports.
Cr Pearse said residents had identified stray and roaming dogs as a priority.
“The vast majority of pet owners are responsible and do the right thing,” she said.
“This initiative is about protecting our community, promoting responsible pet ownership, and reducing the number of dogs roaming our streets. Our Rangers are here to help, and I encourage our community to welcome them and support the important work they do.”
Council is encouraging owners to ensure their animals are securely contained, microchipped and lifetime registered.
Dogs found roaming in public places will be impounded. Owners seeking to reclaim a dog will be required to pay release fees and may also receive infringement notices, including a $330 penalty when a dog is not under effective control in a public place.
The rangers will continue to educate pet owners while enforcing the Companion Animals Act 1998.
Council said it expected the in-house model to result in fewer roaming animals and shorter impound timeframes.
Residents can report a stray or roaming dog, request ranger assistance or ask about surrendering an animal by calling Council on (02) 6757 3222 or emailing rangerservices@mpsc.nsw.gov.au.
Council has also resolved to deliver a new companion animal shelter at the Moree Waste Management Facility during the 2026–27 financial year.
