For dogs declared dangerous
As an owner of a dog declared to be dangerous, you must ensure that your dog is:
- microchipped
- registered on the NSW Pet Registry
- desexed (or permanently sterilised)
- always supervised by someone over the age of 18
- contained in an enclosure that meets the requirements of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 when on the premises where you usually keep it. Your local council must certify that the enclosure meets the Regulation
- always wearing an identifying collar as prescribed in the Companion Animals Regulation 2018
- wearing a muzzle and always securely leashed when outside the enclosure where you usually keep it. If your dog has been declared as dangerous because you keep it or use it for hunting, the dog does not have to be muzzled and securely leashed when it is hunting.
Permits for dangerous dogs
Annual permits are also a control requirement for dogs declared dangerous. You must register and pay the relevant annual permit fee through your local council if you own a dog declared to be dangerous.
If you do not register and pay relevant annual permits for declared dangerous dogs, a court may impose a maximum penalty of up to $6,600.
If you own a dog that is classified as a restricted breed and it has also been declared dangerous, you must maintain 2 annual permits for that animal. If you own multiple dangerous or restricted dogs, you need the relevant permits for each pet.
You must also ensure that you:
- prominently display ‘dangerous dog’ warning signs on the premises where you usually keep it
- do not sell or give away your dog, advertise it for sale, or transfer ownership of your dog. It is an offence for someone to accept ownership of a dangerous dog
- notify the local council for the area where you usually keep your dog if:
- you will no longer be keeping the dog in the same council area where it was declared dangerous
- you change the location in the same council area where the dog was declared dangerous. You must notify council of this change as soon as practical after the change
- your dog attacks or injures a person or animal, other than vermin, with or without provocation. You must notify council within 24 hours of the attack or injury
- you cannot find your dog. You must notify council within 24 hours of noticing your dog is missing
- your dog dies. You must notify council as soon as practical after your dog’s death.
For dogs declared menacing
The control requirements for dangerous dogs also apply to a dog declared as menacing, except for the enclosure and annual permits requirement. When on the property where a menacing dog is usually kept, the dog must either be:
- under the effective control of a person at least 18 years of age, or
- enclosed in a way that stops a child from having access to the dog.