Dog owner responsibility
To ensure the comfort, safety and health of the whole community the Companion Animals Act places certain responsibilities on all pet owners.
Keeping your dog under effective control
When you are out with your dog in a public place you must have your dog under effective control at all times. This means your dog must be controlled by an adequate chain leash or cord which must be secured to the dog and held by a competent person (not a child).
Penalty for the offence of 'Dog not under effective control' - $220.00.
Picking up after your dog in a public place
It is an offence if your dog defecates in a public place and you do not pick it up and dispose of it in a proper manner.
Penalty for the offence of 'Fail to remove dog faeces' - $275.00.
Dog in prohibited place
Some areas in New South Wales are prohibited places by virtue of the Companion Animals Act 1998 and as a result dogs must not be taken into or onto these places. (These laws do change for some assistance animals, such as guide dogs; please see section 59 of the Companion Animals Act).
Prohibited places include:
- School grounds
- Within 10 metres of a children’s play area
- Food preparation/consumption areas
- Child care centres
- Wildlife protection areas
- Shopping centres
- Or any other areas where dogs are prohibited
Penalty for the offence of 'Dog in a prohibited place' - $330.00
Dog attacks
It is an offence if your dog, without provocation, attacks or threatens to attack a person or another animal.
Penalty for the offence of 'Own dog that rushes at/attacks/bites/harasses/chases person or animal' - $550.00
A similar penalty also exists for a person that is in charge of dog that attacks another person or animal.
If your dog is involved in an unprovoked dog attack, whether it is upon a person or other animal, you risk the possibility of your pet being declared dangerous under the Act. If your dog is declared dangerous you will be required to adhere to certain control requirements and if you do not comply with these control requirements you risk fines of $1,320.00, court action or having your dog seized by an Authorised Officer.
No more than two dogs
No more than two dogs can be registered in urban areas without written approval from COuncil.
| Penalty notices issued under the Act | |
|---|---|
| Animal not permanently identified (microchipped) | $165 |
| Animal not registered | $165 |
| Failure to notify change of address/owner | $165 |
| Failure to prevent dog escaping | $220 |
| Dog not on lead in public place | $220 |
| Failure to remove dog faeces | $275 |
| Failure to take seized animal to pound/shelter | $550 |
| Dog in prohibited place | $330 |
| Own or in charge of attacking dog | $550 |
For further explanation and other offences refer to the Companion Animals Act 1998 and Companion Animals Regulation 2008.
This page last updated 30 August, 2011 2:58 PM
