Stricter laws banning five 'dangerous' dog breeds

By Patricia Paolini, Business Development Manager, Peak Training

Peak Training has now updated our Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 training workshop to reflect the amendments to the Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 which amongst other items, bans five dangerous dog breeds.

The amendment includes:   

• Imposing a new state-wide ban on restricted dog breeds (5 have been added to the banned list), 
• Reviewing penalties for the owners of dogs that cause harm,
• Introducing a new offence that includes imprisonment as a maximum penalty for the most serious dog attacks,  
• Clarifying when a destruction order must be made for a regulated dog,
• Streamlining the external review process for regulated dogs to minimise unnecessary delays experienced by councils and relevant parties. 

More than 8,500 complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks are received annually by local governments across Queensland. Approximately 2,500 dog attack victims require hospitalisation and 81 percent of these victims are children, some who have been attacked in their own homes. (Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Record of Proceedings, 16 November 2023, p 3643)

Under the new legislation, owners who encourage their dogs to attack, resulting in serious injury or death to a person, could face penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines amounting to $108,000. Additionally, failing to control a dog that subsequently attacks now carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. 

The amendments reflect a significant escalation in penalties aimed at deterring irresponsible ownership and mitigating the risks associated with dangerous dogs. The legislative changes were largely supported by public opinion, with more than two-thirds of respondents (69%) expressing approval of the ban during public consultations.

Mark Furner, Queensland's Agriculture Minister, underscored the government's commitment to community safety: "Queenslanders made it clear they wanted tougher laws to address dangerous dogs, and the Miles government has responded. We will continue to collaborate with the community to educate and assist owners of at-risk dogs in complying with these new regulations to enhance community safety." 

Notably, current owners of the now-prohibited breeds are not required to forfeit their animals immediately. However, they must adhere strictly to the new regulations, including stringent containment and control measures. These dogs were previously subject to restricted breed permits, but the new legislation represents a comprehensive effort to further limit their presence in the community. 

Animal Management officers throughout Queensland are now encouraged to undertake our updated Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 training workshop available through our next Virtual Classroom course date on 8 November 2024 or call to discuss.  

BOOK YOUR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING NOW!

If you would like to discuss our Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 training workshop, or any of our training courses and programs, please contact Peak Training on 07 3000 2174, or contact Patricia Paolini, Business Development Manager on 0407 966 716 or ppaolini@wearepeak.com.au