Dog Attack
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, an attack is defined as being "if a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal".
All alleged dog attacks reported to Council are considered as very serious. Council officers thoroughly investigate reports of dog attacks on persons or animals and this may result in serious consequences for the attacking dog, its owner or the person in charge of the attacking dog.
| Offence |
On the spot penalty |
Local Court penalty |
| Dog attack |
Minimum penalty - $550 - $1,760 |
Maximum penalty - $5500 - $33,000 |
| Dog in a prohibited place ^ |
Minimum penalty - $330 - $1,760 |
Maximum penalty - $1,100 - $11,000 |
| Dog not on lead |
Minimum penalty - $220 - $1,760 |
Maximum penalty - $1,100 - $11,000 |
| Animal not permanently identified (microchipped) |
Minimum penalty - $165 - $1,320 |
Maximum penalty - $880 - $5,500 |
| Animal not registered |
Minimum penalty - $165 - $1,320 |
Maximum penalty - $880 - $5,500 |
| Dog without a collar and name tag |
Minimum penalty - $165 - $1,320 |
Maximum penalty - $880 - $5,500 |
| Fail to remove dog faeces |
Minimum penalty - $275 |
Maximum penalty - $880 |
^ Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, a prohibited place is:
- Within 10 metres of a children's playground
- Within 10 metres of a food preparation area
- A recreation area ordered by Council as an area for public recreation or the playing of organised games where dogs are prohibited
- A public bathing area ordered by Council as an area for public bathing or public recreation (including a beach) where dogs are prohibited
- A school ground
- A child care centre
- A shopping area ordered by Council as an area where dogs are prohibited
- A wildlife protection area ordered by Council as an area for the protection of wildlife where dogs are prohibited
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, Council may declare a dog dangerous if it is satisfied that it "has, without provocation, attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin), or has, without provocation, repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal (other than vermin), or has displayed unreasonable aggression towards a person or animal (other than vermin), or is kept or used for the purposes of hunting".
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