Dangerous dogs

As the owner of a dangerous dog, there are regulations you must follow to ensure the safety of your dog, family and the community.

Type of dangerous dogs

Under the Dog Act 1976, there are three classifications for dangerous dogs:

Dangerous dog (Declared)

A dangerous dog (declared) is a dog that has shown itself to be aggressive and has been declared to be a dangerous dog by a local government or authorised person.

Remember a dog does not have to bite or injure someone to be declared dangerous. A dog may be declared dangerous for attacking or repeatedly rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals.

Dangerous dog (Restricted breed)

A restricted breed dog is of a breed specifically bred for its aggression.

Restricted breeds include:

• American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier
• Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Fighting Dog)
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Fighting Dog)
• Japanese Tosa
• Any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of these breeds.

Commercial security dog

A commercial security dog is kept primarily to guard or protect a commercial premise and to demonstrate aggressive behaviour when actively working.

Owner responsibilities

As an owner of a dangerous dog, you have additional responsibilities to ensure the safety of our community.

These include:

1. All dangerous dogs must wear the prescribed red and yellow striped collar at all times to indicate it is a restricted breed and may be dangerous.
2. All access points to your home must display a sign that you have a dangerous dog on the property.
3. Your dog must be in an enclosure that prevents a child from entering and the dog from escaping. The enclosure must have a self-closing and self-latching gate that can be locked.
4. The owner and/or person in charge of the dog must be over 18 years old.
5. Your dog must be registered and microchipped.
6. You can have a maximum of two dangerous dogs per property.
7. Your dog must be held on a leash and muzzled at all times in public places, including off-leash exercise areas.
8. Before a person sells or transfers ownership of a dangerous dog to another person, they must inform that person in writing that the dog is a dangerous dog.
9. Restricted breed dogs must be sterilised from six months of age.
10. You must notify the Town of Bassendean in writing as soon as possible that your dangerous dog is missing, has died or changed premises.

Inspections

The Town will conduct annual inspections of dangerous dog owners’ properties to ensure compliance with the regulations.

An order to seize your dangerous dog may be obtained if you do not comply with the regulations.