Dogs
Owning a dog can bring joy, companionship, and a sense of community—but it also comes with responsibilities. This section provides helpful information for dog owners and residents, including tips on responsible pet ownership, managing barking, using off-leash areas, and understanding the rules around the ownership of Dangerous, Menacing, and Restricted dogs.
If you're experiencing issues with a dog in your neighbourhood – such as persistent barking, roaming, or aggressive behaviour – there are a range of actions you can take, as detailed below.
Make a complaint or report a dog issue
Report a dog attack
Responsible dog ownership
This section outlines the basics of responsible dog ownership in Kiama, including microchipping, registration, exercising your dog safely, and ensuring your pet is well cared for at home and in public. Following these guidelines helps keep your dog safe, your neighbours happy, and our shared spaces clean and welcoming for everyone.
Read our dog care tips
- Ensure your dog is microchipped and registered
- Ensure your dog wears a collar and tag showing the animal’s name and the owner’s current address and phone number
- Pick up your dog's faeces and put it in the bin
- Do not allow your dog to roam
- Exercise your dog regularly on-leash or in a designated off-leash area
- Keep your dog under effective control in public spaces
- Keep your dog happy and healthy through regular care and attention
- Provide your dog with adequate shelter and access to fresh water
Cleaning up after your dog
Cleaning up after your dog isn’t just courteous – it’s the law. Dog waste left in public spaces can pose serious health risks and impact our environment, especially local waterways. This section explains why it’s so important to pick up after your pet, the fines that apply for failing to do so, and what you can do to keep our community clean.
Learn more about your responsibility
All dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog.
Dog poo left on footpaths, parks, and public places is a common complaint received by Council. When it rains, faeces wash into stormwater drains and end up in local waterways, where the high nutrient load can lead to toxic algal blooms and aquatic weed growth, harming marine life.
Dog waste can also contain bacteria and roundworm eggs, which can cause serious illness in humans.
What you can do:
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Always carry dog waste bags and dispose of droppings in a bin. These dog waste bags are available at a range of popular dog-walking areas across the Kiama LGA
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Do not let your dog roam unsupervised
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Take responsibility for your pet in public spaces
Failure to remove dog waste may result in an on-the-spot fine under the Companion Animals Act 1998.
Barking dogs
Barking is natural, but excessive barking can cause stress and tension in neighbourhoods. This section offers support for both dog owners and neighbours – whether you're trying to reduce your dog’s barking, understand why it might be happening, or resolve an issue with a neighbour’s pet. It also outlines the steps to take if the problem persists.
Managing barking dog concerns
If you feel a neighbouring dog is barking excessively:
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Talk to your neighbour – they may not know their dog barks excessively, especially when they’re away.
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Use mediation services – if a friendly chat doesn’t resolve the issue, contact a Community Justice Centre for free, independent mediation.
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Seek a Noise Abatement Order – if the problem continues, you can apply for an order through NSW Police.
Why dogs bark
Dogs may bark excessively if they are:
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Not getting enough exercise
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Lonely, bored, or lacking attention
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Sick or in need of veterinary care
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Chained or confined without space to move
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Provoked by passers-by, noises, or other animals
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Hungry or neglected
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Suffering from separation anxiety
What you can do (dog owners)
If you're concerned your dog is barking too much, try the following:
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Provide plenty of food, water, shelter, and attention
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Ensure daily exercise to release energy and reduce boredom
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Use toys or enrichment activities when you're away
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Avoid leaving your dog chained for long periods
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Consider puppy school, obedience training, or advice from your vet
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Confine your dog to a quiet area away from triggers (e.g., a garage, garden shed)
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Citronella collars can help discourage barking (available at pet stores)
If the barking persists, consult a dog trainer or behaviour specialist.
Dangerous, Menacing & Restricted Dogs
Some dogs may pose a risk to people or other animals due to their behaviour or breed. This section explains the differences between Dangerous, Menacing, and Restricted dogs – what those classifications mean, how Council makes those declarations, and what legal obligations apply to owners.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, a dog attack is any incident where “a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal."
Report a dog attack
Dangerous dogs
A dog may be declared Dangerous if it has:
Council must notify you before making a declaration, and you may object in writing within 7 days.
If your dog is declared Dangerous, you must:
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Ensure it is microchipped and registered
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Keep it in a secure enclosure that prevents escape
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Display ‘Warning: Dangerous Dog’ signs on the property where the animal is ordinarily kept
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Use a distinctive red-and-yellow striped collar
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Keep it on a leash and muzzled in public
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Ensure it does not access off-leash areas
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Have the dog desexed
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Not leave it in the care of anyone under 18 years of age
It is illegal to give away, sell, or accept ownership of a Dangerous dog.
Menacing dogs
A dog may be declared Menacing if it has:
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Attacked a person or animal without serious injury or death
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Shown unreasonable aggression towards a person or animal
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Been declared Menacing in another Australian state or territory
Owners have 7 days to object to the declaration in writing.
If your dog is declared Menacing, you must:
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Ensure it is microchipped and registered
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Display ‘Warning: Dangerous Dog’ signs on the property where the animal is ordinarily kept
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Use a distinctive red-and-yellow striped collar
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Keep it on a leash muzzled in public
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Ensure it does not access off-leash areas
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Have the dog desexed
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Ensure it is securely enclosed on any property it visits
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Not leave it in the care of anyone under 18 years of age
It is illegal to give away, sell, or accept ownership of a Menacing dog.
Restricted dogs
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, the following dogs are considered restricted:
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American pitbull terrier or pitbull terrier
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Japanese tosa
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Dogo Argentino (Argentinean fighting dog)
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Fila Brasiliero (Brazilian fighting dog)
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Any dog prohibited under the Customs Act 1901
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Any dog declared Restricted by an authorised officer
Restricted dog owners must:
It is illegal to give away, sell, or accept ownership of a Restricted dog.