Hi

My strata has a by-law that owners are not allowed to keep a pet of any kind, with exception given to one tenant, who at the time had a dog (the by-law was passed in the late 70’s early 80’s so the dog is no longer around).  The by-law is pretty cut and dry – no pets at all. I’m not against the by-law and have no burning desire to have it changed.

What I would like to know is what is considered to be a ‘pet’.  Does it have to be a domestic animal that lives/sleeps within the confine’s of an owners lot?  Or can it include all animals that someone provides regular, specifically purchased food for and is feed at pretty much the same time every day of the week and support for injured animals regardless of where the animal ‘sleeps’ at night.

I have two owners who regularly feed native birds.  The local magpies get raw mince and the cockatoo’s, pigeons & lorikeet’s get a combination of seed bars & loose seed.  Both food types are paid for by the owners and the birds are feed at pretty much the same time each day. They have even nursed injured and sick birds back to health. Any uneaten food is left to attract rats to the property. Water dishes are placed around the common garden areas for the birds to drink/swim in. Would these birds be considered ‘pets’ and hence the two owners in breach of the by-law?