If you own or have a dog it is your responsibility to ensure that all laws
relating to dogs are strictly adhered to and that your dog is kept under proper control at
all times. Unfortunately, many dog owners DO NOT adhere to such laws and as a consequence
many dogs are found wandering, overturning rubbish bins, fouling lawns and public areas,
creating a nuisance and chasing other animals, cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
Dogs in public places must be maintained under effective control. In order to
ensure that dogs do not wander at large, a Council local law has been adopted placing
responsibility on the occupier of premises where dogs are kept to maintain certain fencing
and gate requirements.
No more than two dogs over the age of three months may be kept at the one
property. Permission to keep more than two dogs may be granted by Council in some cases.
Dogs are not to be permitted in public buildings or places where food or drink
is prepared or exposed for sale to the public. However, under Council's local law, dogs
are permitted on sports grounds, car parks etc. provided the dog is leashed or harnessed.
The State Government has amended the Dog Act to allow Councils to declare
individual dogs "dangerous" for offences such as attacking or repeatedly
rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals. Once a dog is declared dangerous, it
will automatically have to be muzzled at all times in a public place.
Section 30(2) of the Dog Act 1976 states:
'All dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered and have a collar bearing
a disc with the owner's name and address and a current registration tag."
Maximum Penalty $500
Section 31(3) of the Dog Act 1976 states:
'All dogs must be on a leash, no longer than two metres in length, when in a
public place"
Maximum Penalty $1000
Dog attacks are considered serious offences and as such owners of dogs involved
in attacks will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Section 33D of the Dog Act 1976 states:
"If a dog attacks or chases any person or any animal owned by or in the
charge of another person, whether or not any injury is caused, every person liable for the
control of the dogs commits an offence."
Maximum Penalty $10 000
Section 33D of the Dog Act 1976 states:
'A person should not set or urge a dog to attack or chase any person or animal owned by or
in the charge of another person whether or not injury is caused. '
Maximum Penalty $10 000 or 12 months imprisonment
