The Companion Animals Act:
Your rights and responsibilities
A new law which protects pets, pet owners and other people applies in full from 1 July 1999.
Here is a summary of the main points. For more information, call your local council.
The Companion Animals Act 1998 replaces the Dog Act 1966. It contains new measures, including the mircrochipping and registration for life of dogs.
New dogs now
All puppies and any dog sold or given away after 1 July 1999, must be microchipped and registered for life.
Existing dogs within 3 years
All other dogs (except farm working dogs and greyhounds) must be microchipped and registered for life within three years from 1 July 1999. These dogs must continue to be registered each year with a local council until they are microchipped.
A 2-stage process
Dog owners must microchip and register their pets. This means having your dog microchipped first, then registering your dog with your local council or an agent.
Walking your dog
When away from your property, your dog must:
- wear a collar and registration tag
- be controlled on a leash (except in council off-leash areas).
Off the Leash
Each local council must provide at least one 'off-leash' area. You can let your dog run off the leash in these areas, but you must still control your dog. Ask your local council for details.
Pick up dog droppings
Outside your property, you must pick up your dog's droppings. Councils must provide bins in areas used for exercising dogs.
Your dog must not enter:
- eating areas
- school or childcare grounds
- wildlife protection areas
- within 10 metres of children's playground equipment.
The rules in the Companion Animal Act are important for pets, pet owners and other people. Dog and cat owners who ignore the rules face strong penalties, including fines and court action.
If your dog is found unleashed in a public place, it can be seized by council
officers and put in the pound. You have 14 days (for a registered dog) or seven
days (for unregistered dogs) to claim your pet from the pound. Dogs which are
chipped will be scanned and their owners notified.
Your local council can issue a Nuisance Order if your dog repeatedly barks, damages other people's property or chases people, animals or vehicles. If you don't stop your dog doing these things you can be fined $550.
Dogs that attack can be seized, unless the dog was provoked or was protecting someone. The owner is responsible for any damage to a person or animal caused by a dog.
A 'dangerous' dog is one which attacks or kills a person or animal without being
provoked. In extreme circumstances, a local council or court can declare a dog
dangerous. Dangerous dogs must be:
- kept in childproof enclosures
- leashed and muzzled in public.
- controlled by an adult over 18
- desexed.
A maximum fine of $5,500 applies.
Four breeds of dogs are subject to import restrictions by the Federal Government. They are:
- American pit bull terriers
- Japanese tosas
- Argentinian fighting dogs
- Brazilian fighting dogs.
Owners of these dogs must comply with the same conditions as for dangerous dogs (see above), except that restricted dogs do not have to be desexed. a maximum fine of $5,500 applies.
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Text from Department of Local Government