Dogs

Dog Attacks

Dog Overview and Registration | Dog Obedience | Dog Pound | Microchipping | Walking Your Dog | Dog Control Laws | Dog Registration Fees

Under the Dog Control Act 1996 any person who sees a dog attacking any person, animal or bird, or who is attacked by any dog, may either seize or destroy the dog. This may mean taking action while the attack is happening. Destruction should be considered only if seizing the dog is not an option. You must not first seize and then destroy the dog.

If a dog attacks a person, animal or bird, you have reasonable grounds to make a complaint. Complainants' personal details are confidential.

How do I report an attack?

Contact us. You will be asked for:

• Time and date of the incident.
• Exact location of the incident e.g. house number and street.
• Description of offending dog – colour, breed, size, sex, whether the dog had a collar or tag.
• Address of dog. If the address is unknown, possibly ask neighbours or follow the dog home and note the address.
• Is the dog at large and where was it when you last saw it?
• If you have spoken to the owner, what was their response?    
• The name, address and phone numbers of any witnesses to the attack.
• What injuries, if any, were sustained by the animal or person that was attacked? Is a vet's or doctor's report available?
• Take photographs of the injuries if they're serious. The investigating officer may do this for you.
• Your phone numbers - home, work and mobile.
• The investigating officer will need a written and signed statement from you and any witnesses to the attack.

• Contact details

Return to top

What happens when a complaint is made?

Following a complaint, the dog owner may be issued with a written warning or an infringement notice, and the dog could be classified as dangerous or menacing. Our animal control team may be able to work with owners to prevent attacks happening again. We may also prosecute the owner of the dog, but this would depend on the severity of the attack.

When do I need to muzzle my dog?

• When the dog has been classified by us as dangerous or menacing - this would usually happen due to the dog being involved in aggressive incidents like rushing or biting. Classification as dangerous or menacing is not always breed-specific and relates only to the actions of that particular dog and the danger it is perceived to present.

• When a dog is known by the owner to be dangerous or to have attacked a person, stock, poultry or property of any kind. This means that if a dog is not formally classified as dangerous or menacing, but the owner knows that it presents a danger, then the animal may still be required by law to be muzzled.
  A dog that is required to be muzzled, must wear a muzzle at all times in any public or private place, unless it is confined completely within a vehicle or cage. The muzzle must prevent the dog from biting but allow it to breathe and drink without obstruction.

If you receive a dangerous or menacing dog notice please contact us for more information.

• Contact usReturn to top