Dangerous Dogs

A dog is considered to be dangerous if it has, without provocation:

1. Attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin), or
2. Repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal (other than vermin)

A declaration can be made by a Council or Court on any dog when it is satisfied that a dog is dangerous.

When a dog has been declared dangerous the owner must comply with strict control requirements which remain in force for the duration of the Dangerous Dog Declaration. These requirements are:

• Must be kept on a lead and muzzled securely and under the effective control of some competent person while not confined to its’ own property. (Note: a dog is not considered to be under effective control of a person if that person has more than 2 dogs – one of which is the dangerous dog, under their control)
• The dog must not at any time be in the sole charge of a minor under 18 years of age.
• Warning signs using the words “Warning Dangerous Dog” must be displayed and clearly visible from the boundaries of the property where the dog is normally kept.
• Must, at all times, wear a distinctive red and yellow striped collar with one colour to be light reflective.
• Must be microchipped and registered – regardless of age.
• Must be desexed within 28 days of the declaration being made.
• Must be restrained within an approved childproof enclosure while on the property where it is usually kept.

Hefty on the spot fines are applicable for each and every breach of the above control requirements. Furthermore, regardless of the owner being present or not, a dog may be seized and impounded by Parramatta City Council if it feels that the above requirements are not being strictly adhered to.

An owner of a dangerous dog is required to notify council as soon as practicable, of any of the following changes:

• The dog attacks or injures a person or animal (other than vermin) without provocation.
• The dog cannot be found or is deceased.
• Ownership of the dog changes hands. The old owner is required to advise the new owner that the dangerous dog declaration is in force and about the requirements under that declaration.
• The dog is no longer being kept within the local area of the Parramatta City Council.
• The dog is being kept in a different location within the same local area of a Parramatta City Council.

On the spot fines are applicable for failing to comply with the above requirements.