Council enforces dangerous dog restrictions

We all love our pets but owning a “regulated dog” comes with extra restrictions and increased responsibilities.

Following approval at its October 2023 Ordinary Meeting, Sunshine Coast Council will continue its regulated dog inspection program that ensures owners are adhering to the limitations put in place to keep our community safe.

Regulated dogs are those declared dangerous, menacing or restricted (prohibited breeds).

Under State legislation they must be kept in line with applicable conditions - containment, muzzles when in public, tags, signage, registration, collars, and microchips.

The Response Services team will conduct regular inspections over the next 12 months, working with owners to ensure they meet their responsibilities.

The Sunshine Coast has 129 of regulated dogs registered on its database.

Service Excellence Portfolio Councillor Winston Johnston said there were added risks associated with owning a regulated dog, and Council was committed to enforcing those restrictions.

“During the annual regulated dog inspection program, Council’s team works with owners to guarantee they meet the regulated dog requirements and keep their animals in a healthy and safe environment,” Councillor Johnston said.

“This can include giving dog owners advice on creating child proof dog enclosures and repairing old containments where there may be signs of wear and tear.”

Under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, there are three regulated dog categories - declared dangerous, declared menacing and restricted.

Regulated dog facts:

Dangerous

A dangerous dog declaration may be made if the dog:

• has seriously attacked someone, or another animal
• has acted in a way that causes fear to someone, or another animal
• may – in the opinion of an authorised person – seriously attack someone, or another animal, or
• may act in a way that causes fear to someone, or another animal.

Menacing

A menacing dog declaration may be made for a dog if it behaved in a way defined as 'dangerous', except that the attack was not serious.

Restricted

The following breeds of dogs are restricted:

• American Pit Bull Terriers
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa

Note: A restricted breed requires a restricted dog permit from council.

The next 12-month program was approved by Council at the October Ordinary Meeting (October 21) and is due to start on November 14, 2023.

The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires local governments to manage regulated dogs within their boundaries.

For more information on the conditions for keeping a regulated dog, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/Animals-and-Pets/Keeping-Dogs/Regulated-Dogs