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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Dog control FAQs

All dogs must be registered with your council.

What does it mean to have a dog under effective control?

You must have control of your dog at all times. The law calls this ‘effective control’.

How should I control my dog in public?

If you are on a road or footpath your dog must be on a lead that is not longer than 2 metres. Your dog must be held by someone who can keep control of the dog.

You must still have control of your dog in an off-lead area. Your dog must be close to you and in your sight at all times. Your dog must be able to respond to your commands.

For example if you call your dog to come back to you, it should come back. If your dog isn’t good with responding to your commands then you should keep your dog on a lead.

You may not have more than 2 dogs on a lead on a footpath, or more than 4 dogs in a public place.

What happens if my dog rushes or chases?

You must not let your dog rush at or chase a person, moving vehicle or bicycle in a public place.

If your dog is on private land that is fenced it is not against the law if your dog rushes or chases.

Keeping good control of your dog when it is on a lead in public is important because if the dog rushes at someone nearby it will be less likely to hurt the person.

Who is the owner of a dog?

The owner is the person who puts their name on the dog’s registration form.

If a dog isn’t registered then the person who usually keeps the dog is the owner.

If a dog is a child’s pet, the child’s parent or guardian puts their name on the dog’s registration form, so they are the owner.

If a person commits an offence under the dog laws then the person who is with the dog or being closely followed by the dog may be called the owner of the dog.

The owner of a dog is responsible for

  • registering the dog
  • keeping a collar on the dog
  • walking the dog on a lead in public
  • keeping the dog in or on a vehicle so that it can’t leave the vehicle or attack a person or animal outside the vehicle
  • keeping the dog in a yard or house and not letting it run away
  • stopping a dog from rushing at, chasing or attacking people or animals

What will happen if my dog attacks?

It is against the law if a person in control of a dog lets the dog bite, threaten or harass a person even if the dog doesn’t cause an injury.

The owner can be fined if a dog attacks and bites and causes minor injuries to any person or animal.

However, if a dog attacks and bites and causes more serious injuries to a person or animal that needs a doctor or vet the fine is higher.

A court may also order the owner to pay compensation for any damages or costs and for the dog to be put down.

The owner of a dog that has attacked a person must tell the council about the attack within 24 hours. A penalty may apply if they do not.

Where can I have my dog off-lead?

Your council chooses areas where your dog can be off-lead. The council will have signs at these areas to let you know if your dog can be on or off-lead and if this is only during certain times or on certain days.

Dogs can be off-lead if they are doing trialling or obedience training.

You must still have control of your dog in an off-lead area. Your dog must be close to you and in your sight at all times. Your dog must be able to respond to your commands.

For example if you call your dog to come back to you it should come back. If your dog isn’t good with responding to your commands then it should stay on a lead.

Will the areas where my dog can walk ever change?

Each council has a dog management policy which has rules about where dogs can be walked, such as beaches and exercise areas.

Each council reviews its dog management policy every 5 years and people can let their council know if they have any ideas or changes they would like put into the policy.

Do I have to tie up my dog in the car?

If a dog is kept in a car (or other vehicle), the owner, or person in charge must make sure the dog can’t leave the car (or vehicle) or attack a person or animal outside the vehicle.

Dogs on open vehicles, such as the back of a ute, must be restrained so that they can’t reach over the side of the vehicle.

Owners need to be careful when restraining dogs. Leads can strangle or hurt dogs if they fall from a vehicle.

Owners that hurt their dogs are breaking the law under the Animal Welfare Act 1993. Fines for these offences can be very expensive. Owners who are found guilty may also go to prison for up to 1 year.

Do I have to pick up my dog’s poo?

If your dog poos in public you must pick it up straight away and dispose of it properly. The council can fine you if you don’t.

What can I do about my neighbour’s barking dog?

Councils have the power to deal with the owners of dogs that create a nuisance by barking.

If you would like help because your neighbour’s dog is creating a nuisance by barking, you can contact your council.

What is an assistance dog?

An assistance dog is trained to assist a person with a disability with specific tasks

The Australian Government’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 says that a person can’t be discriminated against for having an assistance animal (or dog).

A person with an assistance dog can be asked to show proof that the dog is an assistance dog or is trained to meet the standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for a dog in a public place.

Are there laws for guide dogs and hearing dogs?

Tasmania has laws that apply to guide dogs and hearing dogs (but does not apply to assistance dogs). This law is called the Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act 1967.

This law lets people with a vision or hearing impairment have complete access to all areas with their guide or hearing dog.

For more information about the Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act 1967, please contact the Department of Communities Tasmania

  • phone 1300 135 513

Which animal welfare organisations can I contact for help?

People need to care for their dogs responsibly and without cruelty.

Tasmania has laws to stop people from being cruel towards animals. This law is called the Animal Welfare Act 1993. For more information about animal welfare, please contact the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE)

The Dog Control Act 2000 talks about ‘approved animal welfare organisations’. These organisations are approved by the Director of Local Government.

If you suspect someone is being cruel to their dog or dogs, you should contact an approved organisation:

Publications and resources

More information

For more information about your council’s dog management plan, please contact your council directly. Council contact details are available in the Tasmanian council directory

More information about animal welfare

For more information about animal welfare, please contact the Animal Welfare | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au)

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