Dog attacks, dangerous dogs and restricted dogs

Dog attacks

By law, a dog attack is considered to occur if 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.

All dog attacks reported to Council are considered very serious allegations. Council officers thoroughly investigate reports of dog attacks on persons or animals and this may result in serious consequences. The minimum on the spot fine for a dog attack is $1,320.

A person reporting a dog attack may be required to make a formal statement to support their claim of the attack. Council may rely on this statement to proceed with formal action such as the issue of a Dangerous Dog Order or the issue of Penalty Infringement Notices.

Report a dog attack - in street or private property

Report a dog attack - in a park

Dangerous dogs

Council may declare a dog dangerous if it is satisfied it has, without provocation:

• Attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin), OR
• Repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal (other than vermin)

The owners of dogs declared dangerous must comply with certain control requirements that include but are not limited to:

• The dog must be desexed and lifetime registered with council
• The dog must be kept in an enclosure prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
• The dog must wear a muzzle when outside the enclosure
• The property where the dog is kept must display ‘Warning Dangerous Dog' signs, as prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
• The dog must wear a distinctive collar, prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, at all times
  
  
  

Menacing dogs

Council may declare a dog menacing if it is satisfied it has, without provocation:

• Displayed unreasonable aggression towards a person or animal (other than vermin), OR
• Attacked a person or animal (other than vermin) but without causing serious injury or death

The owners of dogs declared menacing must comply with certain control requirements that include but are not limited to:

• The dog must be desexed and lifetime registered with council
• The dog must wear a muzzle when away from the property where it is ordinarily kept
• The property where the dog is kept must display ‘Warning Dangerous Dog' signs, as prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
• The dog must wear a distinctive collar, prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, at all times
  
  
  
  

Restricted dogs

The following dogs are considered "restricted dogs" under the Companion Animals Act 1998:

• (a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
• (b) Japanese tosa
• (c) Dogo Argentino
• (d) Fila Brasileiro
• (d1) any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901
• (e) any dog declared by a council to be a restricted dog
• (f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by state regulations

Council may issue a Notice of Intention to declare a dog to be restricted dog if it is of the opinion that a dog:

• (a) is of a breed or kind of dog referred to from (a) to (d1) above, OR
• (b) is a cross-breed of any such breed or kind of dog

Requirements for dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs

New annual permits from 1 July 2020

The NSW Government is introducing annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards. Learn more about permits here

Dogs declared dangerous, menacing or restricted must obey certain control requirements that may include, but are not limited to, that the dog must be:

• desexed and lifetime registered with council
• kept in an enclosure prescribed by the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
• wear a muzzle, and be kept under effective control on-leash, when outside the enclosure
• be kept in a place that displays ‘Warning Dangerous Dog’ signs
• wear a distinctive collar

As part of Council's responsibility under the Companion Animals Act 1998, regular inspections are carried out by Council to ensure that all requirements are being complied with. For further information read the Companion Animals Act 1998.