Dog attacks

Most dog attacks happen when a dog has escaped from its property or at off-leash dog parks.

The penalties for dog attacks start at $1,320 but can be as much as imprisonment for up to 5 years and fines up to $77,000 in the most serious situations.

Reporting an incident

Please contact Council immediately about dog attacks on 02 9424 0000 or krg@krg.nsw.gov.au. After business hours or on weekends please contact NSW Police on 000 (urgent) or 131 444 (non-urgent).

All reported dog attacks are thoroughly investigated by Council staff.

Victim (or in charge of a victim)

This section is for victims of a dog attack or for adults responsible for an animal or a child attacked by a dog. The sooner you contact Council, the better. Within the first 72 hours of a dog attack, Council has more powers to keep the community safe from the dog involved in the attack.

When you contact Council, we will ask you for:

  • Date, time, place.
  • Description of the incident.
  • Photos of attacking dog, dog tag, owner, car number plate etc., if possible.
  • Photos of injuries.
  • Medical release papers for dog/self/other victims (Vet, Emergency Department, GP).
  • Contact details for dog owner and witnesses, if known.

What happens next?

In the case of very serious dog attacks or a dog that has attacked before, Council rangers may seize the dog and keep it at the Council pound while the investigation takes place.

Council staff will arrange to get a witness statement from you and others involved, including possible witnesses. If you choose not to give a statement, Council will be unable to pursue the matter.

What will the outcome be?

Depending on the severity of the attack, prior history of the dog and the quality of the evidence, the options for outcome are:

  1. Not enough evidence to prove an offence without reasonable doubt. No sanctions.
  2. Warning.
  3. Penalty (fine).
  4. Control order placed on dog:
    Nuisance Dog Order
    Menacing Dog Order
    Dangerous Dog Order
  5. Higher penalty, destruction order or disqualification from owning or being in charge of dog.
  6. Agreement between owner and Council to surrender dog.

Witness to dog attack

If you witness an attack, the sooner you contact Council, the better. Within the first 72 hours of a dog attack, Council has more powers to keep the community safe from the dog involved in the attack.

When you contact Council, we will ask you for:

  • Date, time, place.
  • Description of the incident.
  • Photos of attacking dog, dog tag, owner, car number plate etc., if possible.
  • Contact details for victim, dog owner and other witnesses, if known.

Will I stay anonymous?

Council needs your contact details to investigate the incident. Your name and contact details will not be shared with any other people involved unless you give us permission to do so.

What happens next?

Council will arrange to get a witness statement from you and all other involved and all other witnesses. Your statement is very important evidence in resolving the matter.

Owner of attacking dog

This section is for an owner (or in charge of) a dog that has attacked a person or another animal. Council will contact you to arrange to get a witness statement from you. This is your chance to give your version of events.

In case of very serious dog attacks or a dog that has attacked before, Council rangers may seize the dog and keep it at the Council pound while the investigation takes place.

Must I give a statement?

You are not legally required to give a statement. But you must be aware that Council will then conclude the matter based on other statements and evidence collected during the investigation.

What will the outcome be?

Depending on the severity of the attack, prior history of the dog and the quality of the evidence, the options for outcome are:

  1. Not enough evidence to prove an offence without reasonable doubt. No sanctions.
  2. Warning.
  3. Penalty (fine).
  4. Control Order placed on dog:
    Nuisance Dog Order
    Menacing Dog Order
    Dangerous Dog Order
  5. Higher penalty, destruction order or disqualification from owning or being in charge of dog.
  6. Agreement between owner and Council to surrender dog.

Control Orders 

Control Orders are placed on dogs to prevent specific behaviour from happening, for example aggression. There are three levels of control orders: Nuisance, Menacing and Dangerous.

Some orders require the dog to wear a muzzle and a warning collar when the dog is outside its home. Depending on the order, there may be other requirements as well.

Before a control order is placed on a dog, the owner is given the opportunity to argue why the order shouldn’t go ahead. You can have a temperament assessment of the dog included in your representation. If so, it is your responsibility to contact a dog professional to carry out the assessment and pay for it.

Council will conclude the matter based on the collected evidence and your representation.

 

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