Laws for Menacing & Dangerous Dogs

Owners of Menacing Dogs

The definition of a “Menacing Dog” has recently been expanded under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. A dog that causes a non serious bite injury to a person or animal can be declared by the Council as a Menacing Dog. This is in addition to the existing power to declare a dog to be Menacing if it rushes at or chases a person.

If you already own a declared Menacing Dog, and you receive more than two infringements for failing to comply with muzzling and leash requirements or because your dog has attacked or rushed again, your dog can automatically be declared Dangerous (which involves strict housing and ownership requirements).

Owners of Dangerous Dogs

If you own a declared Dangerous Dog, it is now even more important to keep your dog securely confined to your property. Under new laws, if a dog that has previously been declared as a Dangerous Dog (due to attack) is found wandering at large, it can be seized and impounded, and euthanased after 24 hours. Owners must contact the council within 24 hours of impoundment if they wish to prove there were mitigating circumstances for the dog being at large (if this can be proven, the owner may be able to reclaim the dog).

Immediate destruction powers for dangerous dogs

Council Authorised Officers have the power to immediately destroy a dog found wandering at large, if it is behaving in such a way that it will cause imminent serious injury or death to a person or other animal.

Remember, if your dog is impounded under the new dangerous dog laws, you must contact the Council pound within 48 hours (or within 24 hours if your dog has previously been declared as a Dangerous Dog).

Additional laws have been introduced to better protect the community from dangerous dogs, along with laws affecting owners of Restricted Breed Dogs. For further details, call 136 186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/about-pets/legislation-and-regulation/restricted-breed-dogs

Bigger penalties

The community does not tolerate wandering dogs, and expects owners of dogs that attack to be dealt with firmly. For this reason the Government has recently doubled the penalties for owners of dogs found wandering at large and dogs involved in serious attacks.
The penalties for failing to register and identify pets have also recently been doubled.

For More Advice Or Information

For more information on responsible dog ownership, preventing dog attacks and confining your dog, visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/dog-care or call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Call your local council if you have questions about your rights and responsibilities as a pet owner, or if you have lost your pet. Your council will also deal with concerns about wandering or nuisance animals. Advice is also available from animal welfare shelters, vets and pet clubs.