Dog Attacks

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 it is an offence for a dog to attack a person or another animal. If a dog rushes at, attacks, bites or harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal:
1. The owner of the dog; or

2. If the owner is not present at the time of the offence, and another person who is of or above the age of 16 years is in charge of the dog at that time – that other person is guilty of an offence.

Reporting a Dog Attack

If you have seen a dog attack a person or animal, or been attacked by a dog yourself, irrespective of whether the attack happened on public or on private property, you should report it to Council on 02 6724 2000.

If the attack occurred outside local council hours, you can call the on-call ranger on 0417 792 650, you may also call your local police station. Police officers are also authorised officers under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Authorised officers have a wide range of powers to deal with owners of attacking dogs, including seizing dogs that have attacked.

Am I legally liable if my dog attacks another animal or person?

As a dog owner, you are liable if your dog attacks a person or another animal. While the Companion Animals Act 1998 gives certain protection to an owner whose dog attacks as a result of a person or an animal trespassing onto the property on which the dog is kept, other forms of liability may still apply.

Penalty Notices Associated with Animal Compliance

Penalty notices that can be issued under the Act, please note that there could be other penalties not listed here and are subject to change.*

Not identify companion animal as prescribed (eg microchipped)	$180
Companion animal not registered	$330
Failure to notify change of identification information	$180
Failure to prevent dog escaping	$220
Dog not under control in public place	$330
Not immediately remove dog faeces from a public place	$275
Dog in prohibited place	$330
Owner or in charge of dog that rushes at/attacks/bites/harasses/chases any person/animal	$1320

*figures are correct as of June 2024