What you need to know about the Dog Act

Your Responsibilities

$500 on-the-spot fines

If you own a dog you have a legal responsibility to keep it under control, either within a fenced area on your property or on a leash when in public.

Your dog must always be on a leash in public, except at designated dog exercise areas. As the owner you can be given an on the spot fine of $500. If the matter goes to court, the fine could be as high as $1000.00.

You are responsible for ensuring your dog is not a public nuisance (ie by excessive barking). The on the spot fine is $500. If taken to court, the fine could be up to $2000.00.

People and Animals have rights

Even if you’re your dog is well behaved it can be very frightening to other people if it is roaming unattended. Although you may think your dog is unlikely to attack a person, roaming dogs will often approach and sometimes attack other dogs. Responsible pet owners and their dogs are often targets of these attacks.

Dog Attacks

$10,000 fines for dog attacks

If your dog attacks a person or another animal, you will be held responsible even if you were not there at the time. The only exception is where the dog was provoked to attack (see provocation section).

A dog attack now includes a dog aggressively rushing at or attempting to attack a person or animal, as well as tearing clothing, biting or causing physical injury or damage to property resulting from a dog attack.

Provocation

The dog Act provides a defense for a dog owner to claim, in certain circumstances, the a dog, which has attacked was provoked.

A defense of provocation may be claimed if your dog attacks someone who is on your property without lawful excuse or another animal which enters your property or which behaves in a threatening manner towards you.

Dangerous Dog

The state Government has amended the dog Act to allow councils to declare individual dogs "dangerous" for aggressive behavior.

A declaration dangerous dog is required to be muzzled at all times in public place. Further restrictions can be imposed by Council. Appeals can be made to Council or the local court the owner believes the order is unfair. Owners who fail to comply with order may be fined up to $4000.

A dangerous dog declaration can be lifted upon completion of obedience training and demonstrated good behavior, determined by Council.

On the spot fines are doubled when the offence involves a declared dangerous dog.

Name and Address Tags

Your dog is required to wear a tag showing your name and address as well as a registration tag. It is an offence for your dog not to wear tags and you could face an on the spot fine of $50.