Snake bites in dogs can be easy to miss, and signs such as collapse, dilated pupils, weakness and dark urine can appear within minutes or hours. RSPCA NSW chief veterinarian Dr Liz Arnott advises owners to stay calm, keep their dog still, and contact a vet straight away. Owners should not wash the wound or apply a tourniquet, and should never try to suck out the venom. Vets treat envenomation with antivenom, along with supportive care such as respiratory support and blood transfusions where needed.
RSPCA ACT has highlighted Junior, a 4.5-year-old Mastiff who weighs 45 kg and has a calm temperament. He suits a home with older children and no other dogs on site, though he is selective with other dogs. Stella, a 2.5-year-old cat, is shy after arriving at the shelter but has grown more comfortable with time and patience. She may suit a home with another confident cat. The shelter's animal viewing hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is seeking community feedback on its Dogs in Public Places policy. The request follows an update to dog control signage at nineteen locations across the peninsula. The policy sets a consistent approach to deciding where dogs may be leash-free, on leash, or prohibited.
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Yellow or brown lawn patches may be caused by a dog returning to the same spot to wee. Dogs are drawn back by lingering scent markers, and repeated urine leaves nitrogen concentrated in one area. Rinsing the spot straight after a wee can dilute the nitrogen. Increasing a dog's water intake, moving its toilet area to mulch or gravel, and planting urine-resistant grass such as tall fescue or perennial ryegrass may also help. Spray-on treatments can repair damage that has already occurred.
Two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Daisy and Poppy, have become familiar visitors to the Canungra office and now feature in the paper. The pair are described as sweet and gentle dogs who look forward to their daily walks through the Canungra township. Their owner, Jo Blair, says the dogs enjoy greeting new people, the occasional swim and being given treats.
Dog owners in Perth are being urged to watch for signs of canine parvovirus, a potentially deadly virus detected in Balcatta and surrounding suburbs. Karrinyup Small Animal Hospital warned of the highly contagious virus on Facebook and introduced precautions for animals visiting the clinic. Vets are assessing dogs and testing them outside the hospital while wearing full personal protective equipment. Owners of dogs with lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea are asked to call the clinic before arriving. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Vets warn that dog owners should not ease off tick prevention in cooler months, as ticks remain active year-round, especially in warmer regions. Early signs of tick paralysis in dogs include a lump, wobbly walk, breathing changes, vomiting, a change in bark and collapse. Experts advise checking dogs daily, including hidden areas such as the ears, mouth and between the toes. If a tick is found, owners are advised to see a vet rather than removing it themselves, as the toxin can be life-threatening.
Police are investigating whether two dogs involved in a savage attack on a runner in Chermside may have also been involved in the death of a 48-year-old man found nearby. The man's body was discovered on Sunday in bushland off Kittyhawk Drive, with forensic work underway to determine if the dogs had any interaction with the deceased. The dogs, an American Staffordshire Terrier cross Bulldog and a Bulldog cross Boxer, are in the care of Brisbane City Council, which has issued a destruction order for the animals.
Registered dog owners on the Fraser Coast can now enter the 2026 Cutest Dog Competition by uploading a photo before 4 November. The winner receives a $250 Buy Local Gift Card and the title of Fraser Coast's Cutest Dog, while the runner-up receives $100. Mayor George Seymour said the competition celebrates local pets and promotes responsible dog ownership. Dogs must be registered with Council to take part. A judging panel will choose ten finalists, and the public will then vote for the winner on Council's Facebook page.
RSPCA Illawarra is promoting three pets looking for forever homes. Chop and Mopsey are two collie and American Staffordshire terrier cross dogs who want to be adopted together by a patient family. The pair are gentle and grow in confidence when handled with a soft voice and routine. Ebony is a five-year-old black cat who takes time to trust people but shows affection once settled. The shelter is at Industrial Road, Unanderra, and is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Dog behaviour specialists who visited India to observe free-living street dogs found the animals socially skilled, resilient and capable of handling busy streets. The researchers say pet dogs face different risks, so there is no single model for a good dog life. They suggest that some behavioural problems in pet dogs may reflect the conditions owners create, including confinement and tight control. Participants said the experience made them ask how pet dogs could be given more autonomy and the chance to make their own decisions.
Dogs in NSW face risks from being left in hot cars, with temperatures inside vehicles rising rapidly. The RSPCA warns that even mild days can cause dangerous heat levels, and dogs in ute trays risk burns. The NSW Government introduced legislation in May to ban leaving dogs unattended in hot cars, but the bill remains stalled in Parliament. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty blames opposition blocking tactics for the delay, while Greens MP Sue Higginson criticises the government's parliamentary management.
