Dog Attacks and Regulated Dogs

Aggressive dogs and dog attacks

All dog owners hope their pet doesn’t show aggression towards other animals or people, but it can and does happen for many reasons. Pet owners are responsible and legally liable for the actions of their animals.

We are all aware of the need to protect our community from the danger and fear of dog attacks. People have a right to feel safe in the community and it is the responsibility of pet owners to ensure the protection of others and to keep public areas safe for people to enjoy.

How to report an attack

If a dog attacks you or your pet:

If required seek immediate medical assistance (dial 000) or vet treatment.
Contact Council on 1300 696 272 to report the incident as soon as possible.
Advise Council staff if the dog is still wandering at large.
When lodging your request provide as much information to Council staff as possible. For example: description of the attacking dog; location of the attack (street, park, private property, etc); injuries sustained; witnesses to the attack.
If treatment was required ask your doctor or vet for a statement of attendance that records your visit or a doctor’s certificate.
Take photographs of any injuries.
While the incident is fresh in your memory, please download and fill in a Dog Attack Statement Form.

understanding responsible pet ownership

Always supervise children around dogs.
Dog play can become rough and may sometimes result in a bite.
Constantly monitor your children when a dog is around and never leave babies or young children alone with a dog.
Keep children away from a dog if it is sleeping, feeding (especially chewing a bone) or if recovering from an illness or injury.
Always check to see that your fencing or dog enclosure is secure. Keeping your dog confined will greatly lessen the risk to others in the community.
You must use a leash when walking your dog in public and treat off-leash areas with the same respect as other public areas. If you are going to let your dog run in an off-leash area, you must be able to control your dog by voice command so it does not attack or cause fear to a person or other animal.
There are additional special responsibilities for owners of dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs and owners should contact Council for detail.

biting and aggression impacts on victims

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can result in serious physical, psychological and emotional effects, not only for the person who is attacked but also for the owner of the attacking dog. Even if the victim is not bitten, the threat of the attack can cause lasting trauma.

declared dangerous and menacing dogs

There are laws to reduce the risk of dog attacks and should your dog attack or cause fear to a person or other animal it may be declared Dangerous or Menacing. Council may declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing:

Where it has attacked or acted in a way that has caused fear to person or other animal.
Where it has been declared dangerous or menacing by another local government.

Once a dog has attacked or caused fear Council may declare the animal as a Dangerous or Menacing Dog and the owner will have to comply with the special conditions listed in the Legislation.

When a dog is declared Dangerous or Menacing the owner must:

Identify the dog by a microchip implanted.
Have the dog desexed (only if declared Dangerous).
Ensure the dog is always muzzled in a public place (only if declared Dangerous).
If the dog is not at the place it usually kept it must also be under the effective control of an adult by holding it by an appropriate leash.
Display a sign advising of a Dangerous or Menacing dog on the property.
Pay the relevant registration fee to keep the dog.
Maintain the dog’s registration with Council at all times.
Provide and maintain a purpose built enclosure within the existing perimeter fencing to prevent the dog from escaping, or allow a child to climb into it, or requiring a member of the public having to walk through the enclosure to access the front door.

Restricted Dogs

The State Government has declared the following breeds as Restricted Dogs:

Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Japanese tosa
American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier
Presa Canario

Anyone intending to move to the North Burnett Region with a dog on this list must apply for a permit to keep a Restricted Dog and meet the permit conditions prior to bringing the dog into the area.

Current permit holders must ensure they comply with the conditions for keeping such a dog as any breaches of those conditions may result in the issuing of fines and the permit being cancelled.