Dog Sascha is now safe at home after a six-kilometre adventure in Bellbrae, with Surf Coast Shire Council highlighting the importance of registering pets.
The four-year-old vizsla and her pal Rudi were exploring their home paddocks on a long walk with their owners when Sascha decided to bolt while still on lead.
“On this occasion, my husband was holding her on the lead, and he lost grasp, so the dogs saw their chance and off both dogs went,” owner Glenys said.
“I drove around the farm looking, and a couple of hours later, Rudi showed up, but there was no Sascha.”
Council’s Ranger Services team was able to quickly reunite Sascha with her owners, and Glenys said she was “very relieved to see her”.
“The story was that some people about six-kilometres away had seen both dogs. Rudi ran off and returned home, but they caught Sascha and called the ranger,” she said.
Council’s recently adopted Domestic Animal Management Plan encouraged people to be responsible pet owners, with annual animal registration renewal notices being distributed this month.
Councillor Adrian Schonfelder said Glenys and Sascha’s story highlighted how important it was to get pets registered, as it helped rangers return lost pets to their owners.
“Registration fees mean council can deliver a range of animal management services,” he said.
Dogs and cats over three months old in the Surf Coast Shire must be registered, and people can reach out to council on 03 5261 0600 or at info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for registration bill concerns.
