Dangerous Dogs

A dog may be considered as 'dangerous' if it has, without provocation, attacked or killed a person or animal or repeatedly threatened to attack or chase a person or animal (other than vermin).

Local Councils and Courts have the authority to declare a dog as dangerous. A declaration has effect throughout the state of NSW. It is not limited to the Council in which it was declared.

Once a dog has been declared dangerous, the owner of the dog must comply with the requirements outlined in the Companion Animals Act 1998 and Companion Animals Amendment Act 2005.  Severe penalties may be imposed and/or the dog may be seized if the requirements are not met.

Declaring A Dog To Be Dangerous

Council must give notice to the owner of a dog of its intention to declare the dog to be dangerous. Once the notice has been given, the owner must ensure that the dog is confined (tethered or restrained in such a way to prevent the dog attacking or chasing a person) lawfully at the property where the dog is ordinarily kept.

If the dog is away from its property, it must:

-    be under the effective control of some competent person by means 
     of an adequate chain, cord or leash, and 
-    have a muzzle securely fixed on its mouth in such a manner as will 
     prevent it from biting any person or animal.

Note that a dog is not considered to be under the effective control of a person if the person has more than 2 dogs (one of which is the dog the subject of a proposed declaration) under their control at the one time.

The dog owner has a right to object to the proposed declaration. An objection must be made in writing to the Council within 7 days after the date the notice is given. If the owner does not object within that time, the Council may proceed to make the declaration. If the owner does object within the 7 days, the Council must first consider the objection before proceeding to make the declaration.

Notification Of A Decision To Declare A Dog Dangerous

Council must give notice to the dog owner if it declares the dog dangerous or decides not to declare the dog dangerous. A dangerous dog declaration has effect from the date specified in the notice or the date on which the notice is given.

Once a declaration is made, the owner of the animal must comply with requirements for dangerous dogs prescribed in the Companion Animals Act and Regulation.

Revocation Of A Dangerous Dog Declaration

An owner has the right to appeal against a dangerous dog declaration by making an application to Council for the declaration to be revoked.

The Council may revoke the declaration if satisfied that it is appropriate to do so.  If Council refuses to revoke a declaration, the owner can make an appeal to a local Court against the declaration or against a refusal by the Council to revoke its declaration

An appeal can only be made within 28 days after the date Council has given notice refusing to revoke the declaration.

Please note that an appeal does not affect the dogs’ status as dangerous and does not affect the owner's obligations to comply with the requirements for dangerous dogs under the legislation.

Responsibilities Of Owners Of Declared Dangerous Dogs

An owner of a declared dangerous dog must comply with the following requirements outlined under the Companion Animals Act (1998) NSW: 

1. Desexing

The dog is required to be desexed (if not already) within 28 days after it has been declared dangerous. If the owner appeals against the declaration this requirement is stayed until the appeal is either withdrawn or determined.

2. Supervision

The dog must not at any time be in the sole charge of a person under the age of 18 years.

3. Enclosure Requirements

While the dog is on property on which it is ordinarily kept, the dog must be kept in an enclosure that complies with the requirements prescribed by the regulations.

4. Signage

One or more signs must be displayed on that property showing the words 'Warning Dangerous Dog', in letters clearly visible from the boundaries of the property of which the dog is ordinarily kept, which comply with the regulations.

5. Distinctive Collar

The dog must at all time wear a durable, secure, red and yellow striped collar, which complies with the regulations.

6. Lead and Muzzle

Whenever the dog is outside its enclosure, the dog:

-    must be under the effective control of some competent person by 
     means of an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog 
     and that is being held by (or secured to) the person, and 
 -   must be muzzled in a manner that is sufficient to prevent it from biting 
     any person or animal.

Note that a dog is not considered to be under the effective control of a person if the person has more than 2 dogs (one of which is the restricted dog) under their control at one time.

7. Registration

All dogs must be identified by microchip and registered on the Companion Animals Register.

8. Notification in Change of Events

• The owner must notify the Council of the area in which the dog is ordinarily kept, of any of the following matters:
  
• that the dog has attacked or injured a person or animal (other than vermin); 
  
• notice to be given within 24 hours after the attack or injury;
  
• that the dog cannot be found - notice to be given within 24 hours after the dog's absence is first noticed;
  
• that the dog has died - notice to be given as soon as practicable after the death; and 
  
• that the ownership of the dog has changed - notice to be given within 24 hours after the change. 
  
• that the dog is no longer being ordinarily kept in the area of the Council; 
  
• notice to be given as soon as practicable after the change of location;
  
• that the dog is being ordinarily kept at a different location in the area of the Council; and
  
• notice to be given as soon as practicable after the change of location.