Dangerous Dogs

Under Companion Animals Act you can be held responsible for any damage or injury caused by your dog if it attacks a person or animal.

If your dog attacks a person or animal without provocation council can declare it a 'dangerous dog'.  You will be notified by council if this happens and be given an opportunity to comment.  Your case will then be considered and a decision made as to whether to declare your dog dangerous.  You would then have 28 days to appeal to a local court against a decision.

Once your dog is declared dangerous strict controls apply.  You must:

• Restrain your dog when on your own land to prevent it from attacking any person or animal;
• Erect signs on your signs on your property which are clearly visible from outside saying 'Warning Dangerous Dog';
• Leash your dog at all times when outside your property WITHOUT exception; and
• Follow any other laws laid down by council as a result of your dog being declared dangerous.  

The following breeds of dog are classified either dangerous or restricted and must be muzzled when outside your land:

(a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
(b) Japanese tosa
(c) dogo Argentino
(d) fila Brasiliero
(e) any dog declared by a Council under Division 6 of the Companion Act 1998 to be a restricted dog
(f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

Note:The importation into Australia of dogs referred to in paragraphs (a) (d) is prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 of the Commonwealth.

Download Council's Barking dogs animal information Fact Sheet from Forms and Fact Sheets web page (Animals).