Dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs
Key points
- Restricted breed dogs can be registered with Council, in accordance with the Domestic Animals Amendment (Restricted Breed Dogs) Act 2017.
- We can declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing.
- You can report concerns with dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dogs to us.
What is a dangerous or menacing dog?
Menacing dogs
We may declare a dog menacing if it:
- 'rushes' at a person – that is, comes within 3 metres of a person and acts aggressively, for example, by snarling, growling or raising its hackles
- causes a non-serious bite to a person or animal
- has been declared a menacing dog by another council.
Dangerous dogs
We may declare a dog to be dangerous if it:
- has caused serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking
- is kept as a guard dog or has been trained to attack people or animals
- is declared a menacing dog and its owner has received at least 2 infringement notices for the dog not being leashed and/or muzzled in a public place
- has been declared a dangerous dog by another council.
If you own a menacing dog
Menacing dogs must be:
- muzzled when outside the owner’s premises
- microchipped
- on a lead at all times in any public space, and controlled by a person over the age of 17.
If you own a dangerous dog
Dangerous dogs must:
- be microchipped
- be desexed
- wear a prescribed collar at all times
- be housed within a dwelling or in an approved outdoor enclosure which cannot be accessed by anyone under 18 years of age
- be muzzled and on a lead when outside of the premises
- be housed at a property which has signs at all entrances saying there is a dangerous dog at the property
Restricted breed dogs
These dogs are considered restricted breeds:
- Full or cross-bred American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
- Pit Bull crossbreeds
- Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario)
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- Fila Brasileiro.
A restricted breed dog can include any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of the above prohibited breeds.
If you own a restricted breed dog
Restricted breed dogs must:
- be desexed (unless the owner obtains a certificate from a vet stating that the dog cannot be desexed for health reasons)
- be microchipped
- be wearing a prescribed collar at all times
- be housed within a dwelling, backyard or enclosure so that it cannot escape or injure someone who comes to the premises
- be muzzled and on a leash when outside the owner’s premises and under the control of a person aged 18 or over
- be housed at a property which has signs at all entrances saying there is a restricted breed dog at the property
Report a dangerous or restricted breed dog
Report it to Council
If you suspect that a dangerous or restricted breed dog is not being kept according to the rules listed above, contact us on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au so we can investigate the matter.
Call the Dangerous Dogs Hotline
1300 101 080
This is an additional way for you to report the matter.