Aussie councils push for tougher fines for millions of pet owners amid worrying trend

Major city councils are calling on the state government to implement much tougher pet laws, including higher fines and stronger enforcement powers, amid a rise in irresponsible owner behaviour and attacks from dogs.
Over the last 20 years Randwick City Council, in Sydney's east, has reported a sharp rise in dog attacks, from 900 in 2004 to an incredible 5,000 last year. It said pet owners have also dropped the ball, with reports that many had stopped picking up after their dogs, while failing to monitor them adequately at off-leash parks, particularly around children and wildlife.
In response, as part of the state government's review into the Companion Animals Act 1998, Randwick has asked the NSW government for higher fines and stronger penalties. "Randwick City Council is calling for tougher pet laws, stronger enforcement powers and better education," it stated in a council meeting in late May.
The submission, endorsed by councillors, also recommends mandatory cat containment, more public education on responsible pet ownership, and expanded powers for councils to act on dangerous dogs and nuisance animals.
Roaming domestic cats can have a devastating impact on native wildlife, hunting and killing birds, reptiles, and small mammals, even when they're well-fed at home.
In NSW, dog owners can be fined up to $330 for walking their pet off-leash in areas where it's not permitted, and $275 for failing to clean up after their dog. While councils enforce these fines, they do not set them independently — the amounts are dictated by state legislation.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the law currently states that a dog that attacks another dog attracts the same fine as when it attacks a child. "Clearly, that's not right," he told 9News.
"Everyone loves their dog until something goes wrong, and that's why we want to make sure we get the rules right for the 21st century."
Adjacent council Waverley is also joining the campaign, reportedly calling on pet owners who break the rules to attend training courses. "We encourage responsible pet ownership to ensure safety and that everyone, including our four-legged companions, can enjoy our parks and community," it said.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted Randwick and Waverley councils for comment.
New rule change legalises common pet act in graveyards
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With an estimated 4.7 million cats and dogs in NSW alone, responsible pet ownership is crucial to minimising their impact on local ecosystems, public spaces, and community safety, both councils say.
Pet ownership nationally experienced a significant surge during and directly after the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by lockdowns, remote work, and a collective search for companionship. Figures suggest households with pets rose from 61 per cent to 69 per cent.
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Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

'Survive, nothing more': Cuba's elderly live hand to mouth

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Hamilton Spectator

6 hours ago

• Hamilton Spectator

Open Garden Week 2025: Here's where and when you can visit Hamilton-area private gardens

Listings are organized geographically and by their first open date. Please check listings carefully and visit only during listed hours. If a garden is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, please respect owners' signs or notices. Accessibility information is provided by the garden owners and is not verified. Ilona Feldmann: A small residential garden transitioning from non-native plants to native plants, with a focus on perennials that provide food and habitat for insects and birds. A very large silver maple is a feature in the backyard. Terry McCarthy and Marilyn Renwick: This small hidden garden is a bit of a surprise in an urban neighbourhood. Two levels, a spiral staircase and dense plantings. Trees, vines, perennials and flowering shrubs attract many birds and provide many hours of entertainment and respite. A purpose-built COVID-19 office on the main level is now used more as a backyard cottage. Uneven ground and steps from the street may be a challenge for some. Lennox Toppin: 'FIVE. 2025. Five years since pandemic darkness. High 5. And my 5th, and final, presentation of my garden in Open Gardens — where I am thrilled to finally unveil my fifth garden theme (after: love, sex, death, and decay) … RAGE. The No. 1 question I've been asked is 'will the mannequins make a return?' — and I don't have an answer for that, I have yet to ask them.' 80 gardens across Hamilton area welcome visitors for last Open Garden Week Allyn Walsh: This is a small urban garden transitioning to primarily native plants. The front is densely planted with many natives, and food is grown in containers on the former parking pad. Rose Janson: With 15 different native trees, and many blooming shrubs and perennials, this downtown backyard forest teems with birds and butterflies. Very cool. Two steps to access. Barbara Evans: The garden is 25 years old. What was once a long rectangle of thin grass surrounded by Manitoba maples has gradually become a partially shaded, mostly green space that includes various evergreens and deciduous shrubs, hostas and other perennials. It is somewhat overgrown and a little on the wild side, but we persevere. Emily Brown and Tony Porter: 'Our front and back yards are entirely filled with perennial flowers, shrubs and trees, with no grass. Our garden is constantly changing and adapting; a sanctuary to contemplate nature.' Karin Eckart: 'The gardens, front and back, are very accessible via side gate. I love the old roses, my new wall of hops, the water feature and the raised beds. Also two vegetable beds; house plants getting a summer holiday!' Miranda Lumley: 'Our garden is quite compact and is full of texture, shapes and colour. We are slowly transforming it into a lush oasis. Learning as it grows. It has earned Trillium awards in 2023 and '24.' Andrea Fackelmann: 'Nearly 35 years of gardening adventure in my predominantly shade garden. Rough brick paths wind through over 90 hostas, heucheras, ferns and more. Gardens are designed for minimal care with maximum impact. Accessible but house is on a hillock.' Sue and Martin Keller: Front and side only. 'We are keen gardeners. We have a rain garden at the front, designed and established via the Green Venture rain garden program. All native plants. We have 19 varieties of heirloom tomatoes growing beside the house.' Patricia Barton: Featured in The Spectator as the maker of the 'tiny perfect garden.' Quite small, but colourful, with mostly perennials (and with lots of Joe-pye weed!) Member of Garden Hamilton, Mount Hamilton Horticultural Society (MHHS). Marilyn Nameth: A largely perennial garden — front and back — in transition. A black walnut tree, a new (and attractive) fence and the owner's recalcitrant back means that visitors will have to take the garden as it is. (Editor's note: The garden delights everyone who sees it — except the owner!) Rob and Jane Howard: A small mixed garden that is always in progress and always two weeks behind everyone else's (because of the owner's procrastination). A few interesting plants and an expanding collection of trees. The pond would otherwise be lovely, but the waterfall is 'no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! … Bereft of life, it rests in peace! … It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-waterfall!' (Pace, John Cleese) But do come by. Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Jennifer and Edward Early: A naturally evolving garden encouraging pollinators with a variety of perennials and some native species. Rita Bailey: 'Almost everything in this garden feeds something: the birds (berries and seeds), the pollinators (native plants), the residents (the veggies) and the neighbourhood (senses). This is a garden in transition and some areas are still 'under construction.'' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Helen Kirkpatrick: 'Behind the Garden Gate — a fairy garden and a memory garden, featuring roses, varied clematis, climbing hydrangea, and many and diverse native plants.' Carole: 'My front flower garden was recently relandscaped to include a Korean lilac and a Japanese Juniper. The side-yard birch tree shades my home, hostas and shade-friendly flowers. The herb garden that is made secluded by the Rose of Sharon hedge features a water fountain and a metal art piece. Stephen and Claire Kostyshyn: 'Our enclosed, four-season garden has unusual miniature and dwarf conifers, Japanese maples, other woodies, interesting rocks, ornamental grasses and 40-plus hostas. Textural and soothingly tranquil. Our garden is wheelchair accessible.' John Zimmerman: 'Visit our sanctuary nestled against the escarpment. A mixture of plants and articles of interest throughout the garden.' Anna Strobl: 'Inside the beautifully restored Victorian wrought iron fence is a large urban oasis featuring perennials, vegetables, berries, conifers, and flowering shrubs. Lovingly tended over the past 55 years.' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Mike and Linda Wojcik: 'A little bit of everything: perennials, annuals, trees, vegetable garden, fruit and a small pond. Oh, and a few weeds too! A hilly property.' Christiane Vieler and Paul Stewart: Corner property. Front, side and back open. A charming and interesting perennial garden displaying both native and non-native plants. A backyard pond and garden offer a tranquil spot to relax. Dave and Cathy Cummins: 'Sixty years ago, we moved to a house on a third of an acre with grass, a hedge and a sea of dandelions. Since then we designed, built and still maintain a garden oasis with an astounding number of perennials, shrubs and a beautiful collection of mature trees. Dave's interest is in design and mainly propagation; he grew our gingko tree from a seed in 1967. Cathy's focus is the design. A pergola, pathways, statuary, greenhouse and vegetable garden add interest. Featured on garden tours, in magazines and TV. Not wheelchair accessible.' Don & Joan Morgan: 'Some call it work, we call it fun! Two acres with an assortment of annuals, perennials, raised beds and trees. Red dawn, numerous dogwoods etc. Look forward to sharing with you!' Margaret Walton and Bruce Peart: Small garden in raised beds on a slope. Three hundred perennials, a small native garden, patio planters, wall planters and a small water feature. Karen Lawrence: Welcome to an award-winning sustainable garden that fosters quality habitat for native flora and fauna. The garden is home to more than 100 native perennials, shrubs, trees, and grasses creatively designed into rain gardens, prairie, and shaded woodland. We grow vegetables as well! The garden is a 'working' ecosystem and you will see areas in various stages of restoration. Both front and rear gardens are open. Laurie and Mike Joyce: 'Want to see what grows in a windy, cool, arid garden? Come see the garden Rob Howard dubbed the 'Chill Zone.'' A variety of plants and pollinators, watered by rain. Emma and Ron Begert: 'We are currently in a rental house (hoping to buy again soon) but we have still created our happy space and have budget-friendly ideas to share with others who may be waiting to find their forever home as well.' Seedlings distributed at a past Open Garden Week stop. Gretha Mikula: A welcoming garden in a tranquil setting showing a labour of love and surprise eclectic art. Doris Ann Etherington and Ken Hyde: 'A garden started in 2015, emphasizing collected perennials and native plants on an irregular shaped lot. Sun and shade, a little bit of everything in a suburban setting, with a few surprises. Accessible for the views on concrete sidewalks.' Mary Roussel: 'A calming, colourful garden with plants for all seasons. Many paths and benches allow quiet viewing of rocks, trees, water features, native plants and birds.' Tricia and Gerry Shulist: 'Grass-free front lawn with a bubbling rock. Multi-level backyard with a pond, three raised beds, 30-year-old wisteria, and lots and lots of hostas. Main level of the backyard is accessible.' (Three kilometres west of roundabout on Hwy. 52.) Al and Carol Payne: 'One acre of hilltop country gardens, 50 years of work building various gardens. Lots of potted containers, hosta, oriental grasses, raised iris beds, along with various shrubs and a rock garden.' Irene Schieberl: 'Still a massive work in progress, no lawns, but plenty of invasive weeds. Transitioning to as many native plants as possible. Many birds attracted to the pond.' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Ann Bennett: Winding pathways through perennial gardens, interspersed with flowering shrubs, evergreens, patios, ponds; a gazebo and towering black walnut trees for shade, a raised bed garden enclosure for vegetables, all complemented by steel and glass garden art. Cecil and Marjorie Cooke: 'We are in our 80s and still gardening. On our large property there are sun and shade plants as well as a huge vegetable garden. A great variety.' Members, Garden Hamilton, MHHS Laurie and Greg White: Cosy backyard. Quilting meets gardening. Lots of shade perennials and whimsy. Uneven grass path. Fireflies at dusk. Gerry and Ryan Benson: Our small, all-season garden features a variety of perennials — roses, peonies, clematis, perennial hibiscus, and hostas — and is framed by several Japanese maples, pines, and cherry trees, with a few exotic surprises that come out for summer, as well. Mobility accessible. Norm Nelson: 'My garden is 33 years in the making with multiple revamps! It is mostly a lawnless shade garden with perennials, ferns, hostas, evergreens and trees. It has multiple bird baths, metal artwork, pots, urns and statues. A neighbour describes it as Narnia. It's a tranquil setting in a suburban environment.' Kathy Gallagher: 'Immerse yourself in the tranquility of a lovely, peaceful shady perennial garden surrounding the rear yard including a small water feature.' Mitch and Kathy: A pondless waterfall, a garden/landscape sound system with bird and nature sounds, creating an 'experience.' The evening visits would be amazing for gardeners: The lighting for the gardens is truly another experience, creating a dreamy ambience. Accessible. Kathy and Boris Spiwak: The texture and contrast of hostas, ferns, grasses and shade perennials, the sound of water trickling into the pond — all appease the senses under the canopy of Sherwood Forest. Classically informal with a touch of creativity. Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Rubina Khitab: A perennial and hosta garden with lots of whimsy. Come and get some ideas for garage sale items, thrift store treasures and items retrieved from the side of the road placed around the garden. The garden is walker and wheelchair accessible. Diane and Jason Naiker: 'This corner property has no grass, just carefree perennials and shrubs. Annuals in pots are the only plants that get water. Also a large veggie garden.' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Maryann Botts: 'A beautiful sloping perennial garden with various vegetables, herbs, native and pollinator plants in the mix.' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Eva Kuehlem: 'I have an extremely large lot, about a half-acre. There are all perennial plants, flowering bushes and native plants. There are over a hundred varieties of plants throughout the garden and also a small vegetable garden. Not all of the garden is for people with mobility issues.' Member, Garden Hamilton, MHHS. Giles and Betty Beaudoin: 'From front garden highlighted with Japanese red maples through our courtyard to secluded natural back oasis with waterfall, stream, ponds. Heirloom tomatoes from collected seeds.' Writer Rob Howard, centre, with a quartet of visitors in his garden in 2012. This is the 30th and last edition of Open Garden Week. (See Garden Walk listings at end.) 982 Concession 8 W. Sue and Gord Taylor: 'We have naturalized our one acre property, catering to birds, bees and butterflies. You will find a Japanese Teahouse, one of a kind she-shed, garden pond, raised bed vegetable gardens, and many brick paths through extensive rock gardens. We have been a recipient of a Trillium Award, a Monarch Award and participated in the Carnegie Gallery Secret Garden Tour.' Annamarie Fackelmann and David Harpur: 'This large garden bordering a ravine features many perennials, deer-resistant plants, shrubs, and Carolinian trees, as well as a vegetable garden, two beehives and a small greenhouse. Accessible.' Margaret Hunsperger: 'Wheelchair accessible walkway, 300 different varieties of hosta, two metasequoia, many Japanese maples, perennials and annuals for pops of colour, pond with soothing waterfall.' Ruth Moffatt and Jim Howden: A four-season garden that takes its cues from nature, with Lake Ontario as a magnificent backdrop. Featured in The Spectator in 2011. Mary Galli: 'Welcome all to my countryside garden, where you can stroll across the lawns and enjoy flower beds and different trees that give shade and beauty.' There are gardens open from Burlington to Grimsby and south to Haldimand. Listings supplied by Flamborough Horticultural Society. FHS has a tent at 130 Mill St. for more information. Gardens are open Saturday, June 28 and 29, unless noted, and all times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless specified.

San Francisco Chronicle​

15 hours ago

• San Francisco Chronicle​

June 2025 SAT scores are out. Here's how California students can check theirs

SAT scores from earlier this month are now available, marking a major milestone for thousands of California high school students preparing their college applications. The College Board, which oversees the SAT, confirmed that results began rolling out Friday. Students who tested on June 7 can now check their scores through their College Board account, the BigFuture School mobile app — if they provided a phone number on test day — or by contacting their school counselor. Historically, SAT results have become accessible in phases due to high online traffic. Some students reported receiving results as early as 6 a.m., though most will gain access by 8 p.m. 'The release date of your scores depends on when you took the test and when your test was submitted, not on your scores, grade or location,' according to the College Board. Students who took the SAT during in-school testing earlier in the spring should have already received their scores. Those who elected to send scores directly to colleges using the four free reports available during registration can expect those institutions to receive the results by June 30. To send scores to additional colleges, students must sign in to their College Board account, search for desired institutions, and select which test dates' scores to submit. Many colleges allow applicants to send only their best results, though some require all scores. A shifting role for the SAT in college admissions The SAT, once a near universal milestone for college-bound high schoolers, has seen its influence wane dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. With test-optional and test-blind policies now common, many students — especially in California — face a new dilemma: whether taking the test is even necessary. The University of California and California State University systems no longer consider SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions. Most private colleges in the state remain test-optional, further complicating the decision for students and families. • Data tools: Acceptance rates by major | UC acceptance rates by high school | Cal State admissions rates 'College admissions has turned from somewhat unpredictable to chaotic in the last few years,' Irena Smith, a college admissions consultant and former Stanford admissions officer, told the Chronicle in March. As a result, test-taking has become far more selective. In 2019, nearly 70% of California high school graduates had taken the SAT. By 2023, that number had dropped to just 25%, and only about 9% of graduates submitted scores to colleges. Those who still take the SAT are typically aiming for highly selective universities such as Stanford or USC — schools where, while scores aren't required, they can still make a difference in competitive admissions. The average scores among those who do submit results have risen. From 2019 to 2023, the share of California students scoring above 1400 grew by 5 percentage points, reflecting a smaller pool of high-performing test-takers. For some students, especially those scoring in the mid-1300s, the decision whether to submit can feel like 'an excruciating guessing game,' Smith said. Others are grappling with limited access to testing sites. In the Bay Area, fully booked centers have forced students to travel hundreds of miles to cities like Fresno or Reno just to take the exam. What to expect on test day and beyond The digital SAT now runs 2 hours and 14 minutes and includes two sections: reading/writing and math. Students applying early decision or early action are encouraged to take advantage of the remaining 2025 test dates: Aug. 23, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6. For those still planning their college path, the College Board's BigFuture platform offers tools to explore schools, scholarships and careers based on individual test performance.