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Dog Control Act

The Government is currently considering possible changes to the Dog Control Act.

The major focus behind the development of the Dog Control Act 2000 was public safety.

Under the Act a dog can be declared dangerous if it has caused serious injury to a person or another animal. A dog can also be declared dangerous if there is reasonable cause to believe that it is likely to cause serious injury to a person or another animal.

To make it easy for people to identify a dog that has been declared dangerous the dog must wear an approved collar at all times.

In addition, a dangerous dog sign of the approved type must be displayed at every entrance to the premises on which the dog is kept.

Both the sign and collar are identifiable from a reasonable distance. The Animal Control Officer at your local council or the Local Government Association of Tasmania can advise on where approved collars and signs can be obtained.

A dog that has been declared dangerous must also be micro-chipped so that it remains identifiable to authorised persons.

In the interests of public safety a dog that has been declared dangerous is not allowed to run free anywhere in Tasmania.

To ensure that dogs that have been declared dangerous have a minimum impact on public safety when in a public place, they are required to be:

  • muzzled, so as to be unable to bite a person or another animal,
  • be on a lead not exceeding 2 metres that is sufficient to control and restrain the dog, and
  • must be under the control of a person at least 18 years of age.

When not in a public place a dangerous dog must be housed in a childproof enclosure or secured and restrained by a lead not exceeding 2 metres.

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