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 the City of Bayswater Rangers and Security:

• 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