The launch of Innovation Week at the City of Gosnells lead to some terrific suggestions from staff to improve performance and customer service. The winning idea from Rangers Services is raising public awareness of the Ranger’s role in the community, demonstrating concern for health and safety and actively showing the City is ‘doggone’ friendly when it comes to concern for animal welfare. The mobile dog catching unit, developed by the City of Gosnells, could benefit Local Governments across Australia. Backed by the City, Rangers Services has created a tray housing transport module that can be fitted to any standard issue Council utility.
The tray, which houses two removable wheeled cages, is fitted with a hydraulic tail lift that raises and lowers cages containing impounded dogs.
This simple but ingenious invention reduces the risk of Rangers incurring work place injuries as a result of lifting large dogs. There is also less physical handling time, which can reduce stress on the handler and dog. The transport module for captured dogs is fully mobile, interchangeable between Council vehicles, easy to use and safer for animals.
The prototype was designed by Rangers’ Coordinator, Malcolm Bennett. A Ranger Services’ employee for more than 20 years, Malcolm said the idea came about as part of the City’s continuous improvement strategy, as well as a need to improve workplace safety for rangers handling stray dogs, particularly large or aggressive dogs.
Workers compensation reports indicate that the majority of workers compensation injuries in Local Government are related to strains and sprains – predominantly to the back.
The Ranger Transport Module can transport several small dogs or up to four larger dogs at once. It comes with wheel attachments and a hydraulic tailgate, enabling rangers to safely move dogs on and off a vehicle. The unit’s hydraulic lift, which can be installed on most tray back vehicles, significantly reduces the risk of injury to rangers lifting large dogs into traditional transport cages. The mobile units minimise the need for catching poles, as they provide rangers access to difficult terrain or hard to reach areas, such as the side of a property, shopping centres and other public places.
After capture, the units can be wheeled safely into a kennel for the dog’s release. A standard tray back vehicle can accommodate two removable cages, plus modules for transporting smaller animals and equipment storage.
