List of dog owner responsibilities

Make sure you meet all your responsibilities as a dog owner

Six dogs sitting on a hill.

The responsibilities of dog owners are to:

  • immediately pick up the faeces of their dog if it defecates in a public place. Failing to pick up dog faeces and properly dispose of it could result in a $300 infringement
  • make sure their dog does not cause any public nuisance
  • make sure the dog is registered with the Council, and that the Council is notified of any change of address or ownership of the dog
  • make sure the dog is kept under control at all times or confined in such a manner it cannot freely leave its premises
  • make sure the dog has adequate physical well-being through acceptable nutrition, environmental, health and behavioural stimulus, and adequate mental well-being
  • take all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not cause a nuisance to any other person, whether by persistent and loud barking, howling or by any other means
  • take all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not injure, endanger, intimidate, or otherwise cause distress to any person
  • take all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not injure, endanger, or cause distress to any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife
  • take all reasonable steps to make sure the dog does not damage or endanger any property belonging to any other person
  • comply with the Dog Control Act 1996, and any regulations and bylaws made under the Act.