What is a declared menacing dog?

Dog attacks can occur between dogs, other animals and humans. When a dog attack occurs, it can have significant health implications resulting in physical or psychological damage for the injured person or animal.

Council responds to reports of dog attacks and aggressive dogs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Attacks can be reported to Council by calling 07 3403 8888.

Aggression is a normal instinctual behaviour in all dogs and can be shown at any time for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, aggression can sometimes turn into an attack if not managed appropriately. If your dog shows signs of aggressive behaviour, Council suggests you consult with your veterinarian to explore appropriate solutions before aggression results in an attack. For more information on aggression visit the RSPCA website.

If your dog attacks a person or an animal, or you are a victim of an attack, these are considered serious incidents. Council will investigate the nature of the attack and take appropriate action under the Queensland Government’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. These actions could include, but are not limited to, regulating a dog as either dangerous or menacing, issuing fines, seizing the dog or making an application to have the dog destroyed.

Dangerous and menacing dogs

Dogs that are involved in a reported incidence may be declared dangerous or menacing under the Queensland Government’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

Dangerous dog declaration

Council may declare your dog dangerous if:

• it has seriously attacked a person or another animal
• it has acted in a way that caused fear to a person or another animal
• based on the behaviour of a dog towards a person or another animal, an authorised person forms an opinion that the dog may seriously attack a person or another animal
• another local government has previously declared the dog dangerous.

Menacing dogs

Council may declare your dog menacing if:

• it has attacked a person or another animal in way not considered a serious attack
• based on the behaviour of a dog towards a person or another animal, an authorised person forms an opinion that the dog may attack a person or another animal
• it has acted in a way that caused fear to a person or another animal.

Requirements for keeping regulated (dangerous/menacing) dogs

There are different requirements for a keeping regulated dog and or when a dog is proposed to be regulated. If your dog is declared dangerous or menacing, you can consider surrendering the dog to Council. If you wish to keep your dog you must ensure the following requirements, under the Act, are complied with within 14 days of the declaration:

• if it isn’t already, your dog must be registered with Council and microchipped
• the registration fees for a declared dangerous or menacing dog are paid (note: these are significantly higher than other dogs (see section on fees below))
• a dog declared dangerous (not menacing) must be de-sexed if not already
• your dog must wear a distinctive collar with attached tag at all times. The collar and tag will be provided by Council
• your dog must be kept within an approved enclosure at all times it is at home
• this enclosure must comply with a strict set of requirements identified within the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and Regulation 2009 (Council will provide you with the permit condition requirements if your dog is declared a regulated dog)
• the approved enclosure will be such that it is completely childproof and the dog is not able to escape or protrude any part of their body including nose, paws or tail
• if your dog is declared dangerous (not menacing) it must not be taken outside of its approved enclosure without wearing a muzzle
• you must display signage at each entrance to your property and to the dog’s approved enclosure warning that a regulated dog is being kept there
• if your regulated dog is found wandering at large, Council is not required to return it to you and may issue you with a destruction order.

Council will undertake regular inspections of the dog’s enclosure to ensure that you are complying with your permit requirements under the Act.

Restricted dog breeds

Under Council’s Animals Local Law 2017, the following breeds of dogs are prohibited in Brisbane:

• American pit-bull terrier or pit bull terrier
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese tosa
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa canario.

If Council determines you are in possession of a restricted breed, Council will immediately seize the dog and may make an application for a destruction order in accordance with the Animals Local Law 2017.

Dangerous Animals (other than dogs)

Under Council’s Animals Local Law 2017, an animal, other than a dog, may be investigated and declared regulated if:

• it has seriously attacked a person or another animal, or
• in the opinion of an authorised person, having regard to the way the animal has behaved, there is a reasonable risk it may seriously attack a person or another animal.

When an animal is found to be a declared regulated animal, the keeper of the animal is given conditions that are required to be complied with. These relate to the animal enclosure and may require the keeper of the animal to take measures to warn persons about the presence of the animal at the premises.

Fees for keeping a declared animal

Declared and regulated animal fees:

*Granted in subsequent years upon successful performance review and continuing compliance with the conditions set.

Invasive pest animals

Dingoes, dingo hybrids and wild dogs are an invasive biosecurity matter under the provisions of the Biosecurity Act 2014. They pose a serious threat to native wildlife and domestic animals.

A wild dog is any free-ranging dog without an owner, including domestic dogs that have become feral.

You can report the sighting of a wild dog online.

More information

For more information, or to report dog attacks, dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs, phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Print

In Queensland, regulated dogs are prescribed under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and include:

• restricted dogs
• declared dangerous dogs
• declared menacing dogs.

Restricted dogs

You must not keep a restricted dog unless the relevant local government has issued you a restricted dog permit. Under the Customs Act 1901, the following breeds are restricted dogs:

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

Declared dangerous and menacing dogs

An authorised local government officer can declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing if it:

• has attacked, or acted in a way that caused fear to, a person or another animal or
• may, in the opinion of an authorised person having regard to the way the dog has behaved towards a person or another animal, seriously attack or act in a way that causes fear to a person or animal.

Requirements for keeping regulated dogs

Once a dog has been declared dangerous or menacing or if it is a restricted dog, the owner must comply with certain requirements including:

• microchipping the dog
• keeping the dog in an enclosure approved by local council that complies with a strict set of requirements including that it is child-proof and the dog is not able to escape or protrude from it
• displaying a sign/public notice at or near each entrance to the place where the dog is kept to notify the public a regulated dog is kept there
• keeping a distinctive collar with a yellow identification tag with the words “Regulated Dog” on the dog at all times
• keeping the dog under effective control when in a public place by someone who has the control of no more than one dog at the same time  (i.e. on a leash being held by a physically capable adult)
• desexing the dog (dangerous and restricted dogs only)
• muzzling the dog when it is in a public place (dangerous and restricted dogs only)
• obtaining a permit from the relevant local council (restricted dogs only)
• following all relevant local council laws including registering the dog.

From 1 January 2022 the distinctive collar must meet the following requirements:

• yellow and red striped with a yellow identification tag
• each stripe must be 25 millimetres wide and set diagonal to the rim of the collar at an angle of 45 degrees
• at least one of the colours must be sufficiently reflective to be visible in low light
• be made of durable materials
• be able to be securely fastened to the dog.

For more information contact your local council.

Dog attacks

Contact your local council if you have seen an incident or been the subject of a dog attack. Seek medical attention if needed.

Related links

• Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (Qld)

Last updated: 6 December 2021