The figures, which were shown at last week's council meeting, revealed 18 dogs were impounded during July.

It was also reported that an incident occurred where the pound was broken into, releasing five of the captured dogs. Of those, one was recaptured while the other four returned to their owners.

In 2009-10 the most dogs impounded in a month was 14, which occurred during August and October.

In the previous financial year the most impounded was 13, which occurred during October and December.

There was also a large number of nuisance dog complaints, 31, which consisted of incidents such as roaming dogs.

Animal control officer Angelina Grant wrote the report that also included four incidents involving cattle along Dalrymple Road, and one for a horse on Low Head Road.

Her report also said that the council was checking for dogs that had not been reregistered for 2010-11.

All dogs need to be microchipped by the end of the financial year as part of new legislation that was introduced from July 1, this year.

The council will hold a microchipping day in November as part of George Town on Show.

The cost for owners to microchip their dogs will be $22.