Dangerous dogs

Overview

A dangerous dog declaration applies throughout Victoria. It cannot be revoked, amended or otherwise altered.

A dog that:

  • is kept for the purpose of guarding non-residential premises
  • has been trained to attack or bite any person or any thing when attached to or worn by a person

is automatically a dangerous dog under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Requirements for keeping declared dangerous dogs

Owners of dangerous dogs have a series of obligations to make sure members of the public are not attacked. There are penalties for noncompliance.

We charge higher registration fees for dangerous dogs. 

There is a property inspection fee for dangerous and restricted breeds of $60.

Dangerous Dogs: Questions Asked and Answered.

How can I find out if a dog has been declared dangerous?

Contact your local council with the details of the dog in question. They can inspect the dog and refer to their registration database or access the Victorian Dangerous Dogs Register to see if the dog has been declared as a dangerous dog.

I want to report the owner of a dangerous dog for failing to comply with its prescribed restrictions?

Contact your local council for investigation. Heavy penalties can be applied for offences of attacking again, being at large and not being kept according to the law on confinement and management of such dogs. The dog can be seized by the council.

What happens if my dangerous dog attacks someone?

Owners are now subject to criminal offences if their dog kills or endangers the life of someone. Owners can be jailed for up to 10 years if their dog kills someone or for up to 5 years if their dog endangers someone's life.

Where the owner of a dog is under the age of 18 years, the parent or guardian of that owner will be deemed the legal owner of the dog and subject to any penalties.

This applies to owners of:

  • attack trained dogs
  • dangerous dogs declared due to attack
  • declared menacing dogs
  • guard dogs
  • restricted breed dogs (both registered and unregistered).

 

 

 

 

I want to report the owner of a dangerous dog

Contact us and we will investigate. Heavy penalties can be applied for offences of attacking again, being at large and not being kept according to the law on confinement and management of such dogs. The dog can be seized by the council.

What happens if my dangerous dog attacks someone?

Owners are now subject to criminal offences if their dog kills or endangers the life of someone. Owners can be jailed for up to 10 years if their dog kills someone or for up to 5 years if their dog endangers someone's life.

Where the owner of a dog is under the age of 18 years, the parent or guardian of that owner will be deemed the legal owner of the dog and subject to any penalties.

This applies to owners of:

  • attack-trained dogs
  • dangerous dogs declared due to attack
  • declared menacing dogs
  • guard dogs
  • restricted breed dogs (both registered and unregistered).

 

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