Dog Issues

Please follow these steps if you or your dog are involved in a dog attack:

1. The first priority is to seek appropriate vet or medical attention (if required)
2. Try to obtain contact information of any witnesses and the offending dog's owner 
3. Taking photos may help your case, so please photograph any injuries sustained in the dog attack
4. Keep Vets bills or ask for a Doctor's note if injuries have been incurred
5. Please contact the City's Rangers and Security and inform them of the attack
6. Complete a Dog Attack Report Form and submit to the City. This is needed for the Rangers to gather information and investigate the attack. This includes a written statement describing the attack and all evidence of injuries, including photos and medical reports. It is important to record names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses if possible as well as the offending dog's owner details. 

DOG ATTACK REPORT FORM

Please return the completed dog attack report, written statement and supporting documents to City of Bayswater Community Safety:

• In person to 61 Broun Avenue, Morley 
• Email to mail@bayswater.wa.gov.au
• Post to PO Box 467, Morley WA 6943

The outcome of a dog attack can result in either infringements being issued or a court prosecution.

Where the attack results in physical injury, the person in control of the dog may incur penalties up to $10,000. There may be penalties of up to $20,000 if the offence relates to a dangerous dog (restricted breed, or declared dangerous due to previous issues). 

If no physical injury is caused, the person in control of the dog may incur penalties up to  $3,000 and up to $10,000 if the offence relates to a Dangerous Dog. 

As a dog owner, you are legally responsible for how your dog behaves. By correctly controlling your dog you can prevent it from attacking people and other animals.

• Never allow your dog to be unsupervised on the street
• Keep your dog on a lead when taking it in a public place
• Ensure there is secure fencing around your property.

When in the public, your dog must be tethered or on a leash, unless the park is a designated dog exercise area. You may exercise your dog off the leash in dog exercise areas, however as an owner you are still fully responsible for the control and behaviour of your dog.

For more information about Dog Exercise Areas, please see Dog Exercise Areas.

For more information about being a responsible owner please see Dog Ownership and Registration.

As a dog owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your dog is not creating problems by barking excessively in either private or public spaces.                 

If your dog is barking excessively, it may be experiencing loneliness, anxiety, ill health or be a result of poor or lacking training.

If you are being impacted by a barking dog, please download our free Dog Nuisance Pack. This contains tips, a letter template and a barking diary to help you address the issue in a responsible and amicable way.

For further information relating to nuisance dogs, please review the City's Nuisance Barking Dogs Fact Sheet or visit the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Dog Nuisance Pack

Infringements can be issued by the City's Rangers for a number of other offences, such as:

• Walking your dog unleashed outside of a dog friendly area
• Lack of registration
• Not picking up your dog's excreta

Payments must be paid in full and by the due date, otherwise, additional costs may apply. If you need more time to pay, please email the City or contact us on 92720622.

If you wish to dispute an infringement, please write to us before the due date at:

City of Bayswater
PO Box 467, Morley 6943

or email mail@bayswater.wa.gov.au

These dogs are listed under the Act as of a breed prescribed by the Dog Regulations 2013 or a mix of 2 or more breeds, one being a prescribed restricted breed.

The currently prescribed breeds are:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• American pit bull terrier
•  Pit bull terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

In addition to these increased responsibilities, enforcement options and any applicable penalties are also increased.

Some of the additional control measures for these dogs include:

• Prescribed collars with red and yellow alternating stripes
• Prescribed warning signs at the property the dog is kept at
• Increased fencing and enclosure requirements
• Requirements for the dog to be held on a leash and muzzled when in public.

Under the Dog Act 1976 (the Act) there are three classifications for Dangerous Dogs that prescribe added management, control and notification responsibilities for their owners.

The three classifications are described below:

Dangerous Dog (Declared)

This is when a dog has been declared to be a dangerous dog by a local government, or a local government authorised person, due to its behaviour and other criteria contained within the Act.

Commercial Security Dog

This is a dog kept primarily for the purpose of guarding or protecting premises that are not dwellings and that are not the premises of the dog’s owner, whether or not accompanied by a dog handler.

The dangerous dog control requirements are applicable to these dogs, however, there are some considerations for when the dog is actively working.

Dangerous Dog (Restricted Breed)

Any other breed of dog the importation of which is prohibited absolutely by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (Commonwealth).

In addition to the dangerous dog control requirements, Restricted Breed dogs must also be sterilised.