Tag: dangerous dogs

Dog attack

City Officers will make contact to follow up on every reported dog attack.

Dog attacks can take many forms, including:

  • Aggressively rushing at or harassing any person or animal
  • Biting or causing physical injury to a person or animal
  • Tearing clothing on or causing damage to the property of any person attacked
  • Attempting to attack or behaving in a manner that would cause fear of physical injury.

Upon receipt of a dog attack report, a City Officer will:

  • Investigate the dog attack report
  • Take the appropriate action based on that investigation.

Please contact the City to report a dog attack, noting as many details as possible of the attack.

Dangerous dogs – restricted breeds

Some breeds have been identified and declared restricted in Australia. These also include a mix of two or more breeds, one being a restricted breed.

The following breeds are classified as restricted:

  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

Dangerous dogs – declared

Local Governments can declare any dog as dangerous, based on its behaviour and regardless of the breed.

A dog may be declared dangerous due to:

  • Causing injury or damage by an attack or by chasing a person or animal.
  • Repeatedly showing a tendency to attack or chase a person, animal or vehicle.
  • Threatening to attack.

Dangerous dogs – commercial security dogs

The owner of a commercial security dog must ensure that:

  • The dog wears the specified collar worn by commercial security dogs with information attached to or endorsed on the collar.
  • When a commercial security dog is working at any premises, every person responsible for the control of the dog must ensure that the dog is confined to the premises.
  • The person who arranges for the dog to guard or protect the premises must ensure the dog is confined to the premises.
  • The enclosure where the dog is confined will prevent escape, removal or release from that enclosure.
  • Children under seven years of age are prevented from entering or inserting any part of their body into an enclosure.

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Dangerous dogs

Provision has been made for the responsible ownership of dogs that have been classed as dangerous dogs.

Any dog can be dangerous however, there are three identified types of dangerous dogs:

  • Restricted breeds
  • Declared
  • Commercial security dog.

Requirements for owners of dangerous dogs when in public areas include:

  • Wearing of specified collars
  • Wearing a muzzle
  • On leash at all times.

The property housing a dangerous dog must have:

  • An adequate enclosure to prevent the dog from escaping
  • Dangerous dog signage displayed at all entrances to the property.