Ranger Services Information Sheet 23
Restricted dog breeds
Legislation
Regulations have been introduced relating to restricted dog breeds and commenced operation on 22 April 2002.
Under the legislation a "restricted breed dog" is defined as a breed whose importation into Australia is prohibited under the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
Breeds restricted
At present this includes:
- dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog);
- fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog);
- Japanese tosa;
- American pit bull terrier and pit bull terrier breeds.
The regulations also provide for a restricted breed dog to include any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of the above prohibited breeds.
Annual inspections
The Town of Bassendean rangers will conduct annual inspections of properties for restricted breed owners to ensure compliance with these regulations.
The Town can refuse or cancel a registration and seize and detain a dog if it believes that the means to confine the dog do not exist on the premises.
If you are unsure about the regulations regarding restricted breeds then call the rangers on 9377 7480.
Rules and regulatons
The Regulations include provisions relating to:
- Dogs to wear specified collars indicating a dangerous dog and property access points to display signs indicating a dangerous dog;
- Mandatory sterilization of all Restricted Breed Dogs before 15 March 2006.
- Escape proof and child proof fencing;
- A requirement for the owner to leash and muzzle the dog while in public places;
- Persons in charge in public places must not be under 18;
- A maximum of two restricted dogs per person without a permit from the Council;
- Owners must be
- Owner to be18 or over;
- Compulsory notification of a prospective owner that the dog is a registered breed dog;
- Compulsory notification to local government if the dog escapes, dies or there is a change of ownership; and
- Extra powers for seizure and destruction.
Regulation 5 of the Restricted Breed Regulations requires the dog to wear at all times, including on its own property, a prescribed collar.
Ask the receptionist or Ranger for a specification of the collar to be worn at all times. Council does not sell these collars. They can be purchased from City Farmers or a pet store.
Regulation 6 requires owners to have their property, and any property the dog visits, to be adequately fenced to ensure that at any time no young children can gain access to the yard and that the dog cannot escape from it.
A specified sign is to be placed at any entrance to the premises at which the dog is ordinarily kept.
For more detailed information on the other requirements please call the Rangers on 9377 7480.
If a Ranger or a Police Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the owner does not comply with:
- Regulation 5, Prescribed Collar;
- Regulation 6, Dog kept on property which is fenced to prevent a young child from entering the property and which prevents the dog escaping and having a sign displayed at any entrance that conforms with the prescribed sign; and
- Regulation 7, the control of restricted breed dogs
- then the Ranger or Police Officer may seize and detain the dog.
If the dog is seized and detained, the owner will have 8 days to comply with the regulations after a notice has been given, or the dog will be destroyed.
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