Dangerous, restricted and menacing dogs

Dangerous dogs

Report a dog attack

A dog is considered dangerous if it has without provocation:

  • attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin)
  • repeatedly threatened to attack, or repeatedly chased a person or animal.

If a dog displays these behavious Council may declare it dangerous.

We must first notify you of our intention to declare the dog to be dangerous.

You will be given information about your right to object to the proposed declaration.

Objections must be made in writing within 7 days.

Owner's responsibilities

If your dog is declared dangerous you must:

  • ensure it is microchipped and registered
  • keep your dog in an enclosure constructed and maintained in such a way that the dog is not able to dig or otherwise escape
  • clearly display one or more signs on your property showing the words 'Warning Dangerous Dog'
  • ensure your dog wears a distinctive collar consisting of red stripes alternatively spaced with yellow stripes
  • keep your dog on a secure lead and wearing a securely fitted muzzle
  • ensure they do not access any dog off-leash areas
  • desex your dog
  • not leave it in the care of anyone under the age of 18 years
  • not leave it in sole charge of your children.

It is illegal to:

  • give away or sell a dangerous dog
  • accept ownership of a dangerous dog.

Menacing dogs

Report a dog attack

A dog is considered menacing if it has without provocation:

  • attacked a person or animal (other than vermin) without causing serious injury or death
  • shown unreasonable aggression towards any person or animal.

A dog may also be considered menacing if it has been declared menacing by another state or territory.

If a dog meets the above criteria Council may declare it menacing.

We must first notify you of our intention to declare the dog to be menacing.

You will be given information about your right to object to the proposed declaration.

Objections must be made in writing within 7 days.

Owner's responsibilities

If your dog is declared to be a menacing dog you must:

  • ensure it is microchipped and registered
  • clearly display one or more signs on your property showing the words 'Warning Dangerous Dog'
  • ensure your dog wears a distinctive collar consisting of red stripes alternatively spaced with yellow stripes
  • keep your dog on a secure lead and wearing a securely fitted muzzle
  • ensure they do not access any dog off-leash areas
  • desex your dog
  • not leave it in the care of anyone under the age of 18 years
  • not leave it in sole charge of your children.

During any period that a menacing dog is on a property at which it is not ordinarily kept, and is not under effective control of a person of or above the age of 18 years, the dog must be enclosed in a way that is sufficient to restrain the dog and prevent a child from having access to it.

It is illegal to:

  • give away or sell a menacing dog
  • accept ownership of a menacing dog.

Restricted dogs

Report a dog attack

The following dogs are restricted for the purposes of the Companion Animals Act:

  • American pitbull terrier or Pitbull terrier
  • Japanese tosa
  • Dogo Argentino (Argentinean fighting dog)
  • Fila Brasiliero (Brazilian fighting dog)
  • any other dog of a breed, kind or description, whose importation into Australia is prohibited by, or under, the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth
  • any dog declared by an authorised officer of a Council, under division 6 of the Companion Animals Act 1998, to be a restricted dog.

Owners of restricted dogs are obliged to comply with the same responsibilities as owners of dangerous dogs.

It is illegal to:

  • give away or sell a restricted dog
  • accept ownership of a restricted dog.