Dog attacks
Under the law, a dog attack is defined as any instance where a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses, or chases a person or another animal (excluding vermin), regardless of whether injury occurs.
All dog attacks reported to Council are treated as serious matters. Council officers conduct thorough investigations into every report involving a person or animal, and significant penalties may apply. The minimum on-the-spot fine for a dog attack is $1,320.
A person reporting a dog attack may be required to make a formal statement to support their claim of the attack. Council may rely on this statement to proceed with formal action such as the issue of a Dangerous Dog Order or the issue of Penalty Infringement Notices.
| Offence | On the spot penalty (maximum) | Local Court penalty (maximum) |
|---|---|---|
| Dog attack | $1320 | $11,000 - $77,000 |
| Dog in a prohibited place ^ | $330 - $1,760 | $1,100 - $11,000 |
| Dog not on lead | $330 to $1,760 | $1,100 - $11,000 |
| Animal not permanently identified (microchipped) | $180 - $1,320 | $880 - $5,500 |
| Animal not registered | $330 - $1,320 | $5,500 - $7,700 |
| Dog without a collar and name tag | $180 - $1,320 | $880 - $5,500 |
| Fail to remove dog faeces | $275 | $880 |
Dangerous dogs
Council may declare a dog dangerous if it is satisfied it has, without provocation:
- Attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin), OR
- Repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal (other than vermin)
The owners of dogs declared dangerous must comply with certain control requirements that include but are not limited to the following:
- The dog must be desexed and lifetime registered with council
- The dog must be kept in an enclosure prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
- The dog must wear a muzzle when outside the enclosure
- The property where the dog is kept must display 'Warning Dangerous Dog' signs, as prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
- The dog must wear a distinctive collar, prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, at all times
Menacing dogs
Council may declare a dog menacing if it is satisfied it has, without provocation:
- Displayed unreasonable aggression towards a person or animal (other than vermin), OR
- Attacked a person or animal (other than vermin) but without causing serious injury or death
The owners of dogs declared menacing must comply with certain control requirements that include but are not limited to:
- The dog must be desexed and lifetime registered with council
- The dog must wear a muzzle when away from the property where it is ordinarily kept
- The property where the dog is kept must display Warning Dangerous Dog' signs, as prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
- The dog must wear a distinctive collar, prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, at all times
Restricted dogs
The following dogs are considered "restricted dogs" under the Companion Animals Act 1998:
- (a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
- (b) Japanese tosa
- (c) Dogo Argentino
- (d) Fila Brasileiro
- (d1) any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901
- (e) any dog declared by a council to be a restricted dog
- (f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by state regulations
Council may issue a Notice of Intention to declare a dog to be restricted dog if it is of the opinion that a dog:
- (a) is of a breed or kind of dog referred to from (a) to (d1) above, OR
- (b) is a cross-breed of any such breed or kind of dog
Requirements for dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs
New annual permits from 1 July 2020
The NSW Government is introducing annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards. Learn more about permits here
Dogs declared dangerous, menacing or restricted must obey certain control requirements that may include, but are not limited to, that the dog must be:
- desexed and lifetime registered with council
- kept in an enclosure prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
- wear a muzzle, and be kept under effective control on-leash, when outside the enclosure
- be kept in a place that displays ‘Warning Dangerous Dog’ signs
- wear a distinctive collar
As part of Council's responsibility under the Companion Animals Act 1998, regular inspections are carried out by Council to ensure that all requirements are being complied with. For further information read the Companion Animals Act 1998.