Dog Attacks

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, a dog attack occurs when a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused.

If you witness a dog attack or are a victim of one, it's crucial to report it immediately.

• During business hours: Call Council's ranger services team on 1300 345 345
  
  
• After hours for emergencies: Call 1300 345 345
  
  
• Online: Submit a report at https://qrco.de/animalcomplaints
  
  

When reporting, provide as much detail as possible.

• Date, time, and location of the attack
  
  
• Description of the dog(s) involved
  
  
• Details of injuries or damage caused
  
  
• Witness information (if available)

Dog attacks on livestock can have devastating effects on farmers' livelihoods.

If you're a dog owner:

• Ensure your property is securely fenced to prevent your dog from roaming
  
  
• Keep your dog on a leash when outside your property
  
  
• Train your dog to respond to commands and socialise it properly
  
  
• Never allow your dog to chase wildlife or farm animals, even in play

For farmers:

• Under Section 22 of the Companion Animals Act 1998, you have the right to take reasonable action to protect your livestock from dog attacks, including seizing or, in extreme cases, destroying the dog
  
  
• Report all incidents to Council's ranger services team

Dog owners are liable for attacks carried out by their dogs.

This can result in:

• Fines and penalties
  
  
• Civil liability for damages
  
  
• Your dog being declared dangerous, menacing, or a nuisance
  
  
• Potential seizure of your dog

There are a few simple things dog owners can do to help prevent dog attacks.

1. Properly secure your property to prevent your dog from escaping
   
   
2. Always supervise your dog around children and unfamiliar people or animals
   
   
3. Ensure your dog is well-socialised and obedience trained
   
   
4. Keep your dog on a leash in public places unless in designated off-leash areas
   
   
5. Desex your dog to reduce aggressive tendencies and roaming behaviours
   
   

Remember, responsible pet ownership is key to preventing dog attacks and creating a safer community for all.

• Dog attack alleged victim statement form(PDF, 747KB)
  
  
• Dog attack alleged offender statement form
  
  
• Dog attack witness statement form(PDF, 743KB)
  
  
• Dog attack animal identification form(PDF, 535KB)

The companion animal legislation incorporates control provisions and responsibilities for owners of dangerous, menacing, and restricted dogs.

The following information outlines some of these responsibilities.

Along with enforcing legislation surrounding dangerous, menacing, and restricted dogs, Council now has a general duty under the Act to take such steps as are necessary to ensure they are aware of the existence of all restricted, menacing, and dangerous dogs that are kept in our region.

Prohibition on selling dangerous, menacing, or restricted dog or proposed dangerous, menacing, or restricted dog

A person who sells, or advertises the sale of, a dangerous, menacing, or restricted dog or proposed dangerous, menacing, or restricted dog is guilty of an offence.

When to notify Council of changes relating to dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs

Owners of declared dogs in the Snowy Monaro are required to notify Council of the following matters within the specified timeframes.

• That the dog, with or without provocation, 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
  
  
• That the dog is no longer being ordinarily kept in the council area – 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 council area – notice to be given as soon as practicable after the change of location

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Dangerous Dogs 

A declared dangerous dog is a dog that an authorised council officer or a local court has declared as dangerous because it:

• has, without provocation, attacked or killed a person or animal (not including vermin), or
  
  
• has, without provocation, repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal (not including vermin), or
  
  
• is kept or used for hunting (not including a dog used for locating, flushing, pointing or retrieving birds or vermin), or
  
  
• has been declared a dangerous dog under a law of another State or a Territory that corresponds with the Act.

Menacing Dogs

A declared menacing dog is a dog that an authorised council officer or a local court has declared as menacing because it:

• has displayed unreasonable aggression towards a person or animal (other than vermin), or
  
  
• has, without provocation, attacked a person or animal (other than vermin) but without causing serious injury or death, or
  
  
• has been declared a menacing dog under a law of another State or a Territory that corresponds with the Act.

Restricted Dogs

Under the Companion Animals Act the following dogs are restricted dogs:

• American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier,
  
  
• Japanese tosa,
  
  
• Dogo Argentino,
  
  
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario,
  
  
• Fila Brasileiro,
  
  
• Any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901,
  
  
• Any dog declared by an authorised officer of a council under Division 6 of this Part to be a restricted dog,
  
  
• Any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.