Dog ownership laws and fines

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Dog ownership laws

Laws relating to dog ownership are set out by the Companion Animals Act 1998 and the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.

All dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or earlier if sold or given away
All dogs must be lifetime registered by 6 months of age
All dogs must wear a collar and identification tag when outside their property – visit this page to order a free engraved pet tag (conditions apply)
A dog that is in a public place must be under the effective control of a competent person by an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog and that is being held by (or secured to) the person. This section does not apply to a dog secured in a cage or vehicle
A dog is not considered to be under the effective control of a person if the person has more than 4 dogs under his or her control
Dogs must not be encouraged to attack a person or animal
The owner or person in charge of a dog that defecates in a public place, must immediately remove the dog's faeces and properly dispose of them.

Offences and penalties

Below are some examples of common offences under the Companion Animals Act 1998 and the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 encountered by Council, along with their associated penalties.

Offence	On-the-spot penalty	Local Court penalty
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Dog attack	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $1,320	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $11,000 – $77,000
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Dog in a prohibited place ^	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $330 – $1,760	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $1,100 – $11,000
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Dog not on lead	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $330 – $1,760	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $1,100 – $11,000
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Animal not permanently identified (microchipped)	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $180 – $1,320	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $880 – $5,500
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Animal not registered	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $330 – $1,320	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $5,500 - $7,700
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Dog without a collar and name tag	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $180 – $1,320	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $880 – $5,500
Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Offence: Fail to remove dog faeces	On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: On-the-spot penalty: Minimum penalty: $275	Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Local Court penalty: Maximum penalty: $880

Prohibited areas

^ 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

Lodge a dog complaint