Jason Tagliapietra purchased a puppy schnauzer from South Australia for his wife and two young boys 18 months ago after being unable to find a NSW breeder.

‘Chewy’ came fully microchipped and with a registration certificate from the Australasian Animal Registry (AAR).

A quick look on the AAR website shows that the not-for-profit organisation is accredited by the  Australian Veterinary Association, both Queensland and Victorian state governments – it’s even named as a division of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

Yet, as Mr Tagliapietra has now discovered, it’s not accredited by the NSW Government meaning all dog owners who purchase their pups interstate still need to register them at their local council.

Mr Tagliapietra has never received any formal notification of this in the post; it was only when a Wollongong City Council animal control ranger knocked on his door in late March that he was made aware. And promptly fined.

‘’I’m a responsible pet owner – my dog is microchipped, desexed and I have a certificate to say he’s registered – all of which I explained to the ranger,’’ he said.

‘’I was more than happy to pay the NSW rego when told it was required – and did so the day after I was informed – but that didn’t stop the ranger fining me on the spot.

‘’I can understand if I’d deliberately done something wrong – but to fine me without even a warning I felt was a bit harsh.’’

Mr Tagliapietra appealed the fine, which was issued by the Office of State Revenue, but lost that appeal. ‘’It’s not the money, but considering the circumstances I’d have thought a caution would have been appropriate.’’

A Wollongong City Council spokesperson said council rangers were required to make sure pet owners met the NSW Government’s legislative requirements.

‘’Under the NSW Companion Animals Act (1998) dog and cat owners are required to register their pets with their local council or online through the NSW Pet Registry by the time their pets are six months old.

‘’As this is a well-established legislation there is an expectation all pet owners are aware of their responsibilities to register their dogs and cats with their local council.’’

The spokesperson said if dogs were purchased in NSW, information was provided to local councils which then sent out reminder notices to their owners. For pets purchased interstate, there was a three-month timeframe for their animals to be listed on the NSW Companion Animals Register.