The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 was introduced on 1 July 2009 to provide for the effective management of Regulated Dogs.

A Regulated Dog is defined as;

• Declared Dangerous Dogs
• Declared Menacing Dogs
• Restricted Dogs

A Dangerous Dog Declaration can be made for a dog only if the dog;

• Has seriously attacked, or acted in a way that caused fear to, a person or another animal; or
• May, in the opinion of an authorised person having regard to the way the dog has behaved towards a person or another animal, seriously attack, or act in a way that causes fear to, the person or animal.

A Menacing Dog Declaration may be made for a dog only if a ground mentioned above exists for the dog, except that the attack was not serious.

In addition Council's Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) prohibits the keeping of a Restricted Dog anywhere in the local government area.

A restricted dog is a dog of a breed prohibited from importation into Australia under the Customs Act 1901 (Cmwlth).

The following breeds, and any crossbreed of the following are classified as restricted dog breeds:

Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Japanese Tosa
Pit Bull Terrier, also known as American Pit Bull Terrier
Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canario

The legislation also applies to any crossbreeds and offspring of the above species.  Important points of the new legislation include the following:

Identification
The dog must at all times, wear a collar with an attached identifying tag.

Muzzling and Effective Control in Public
The dog must not be in a public place unless it is muzzled and under the effective control of someone who has the control of no more than 2 dogs of any breed or type at the same time.

De-Sexing
All restricted dogs must be desexed.

Enclosure
A childproof enclosure must be maintained for the dog at the premises on which the dog is kept.

Read about enclosure requirements for regulated dogs.

For further information please contact Council's Regulatory Services Department on (07) 4970 0700.