Preventing dog attacks

If you own or provide care for a dog, you are responsible for keeping that dog in an enclosure which prevents escape or allows the dog to protrude any part of its body under, over or through the fence.

Your dog should not be able to make contact with an animal or person on the other side of the fence. You are also responsible for keeping your dog under effective control when you are in public areas to ensure your dog is unable to attack, worry or cause fear to another person or animal.

Hundreds of dog attacks are reported and investigated in our city each year. To help prevent dog attacks, please make sure that you:

• regularly check your fencing for damage or deterioration
• provide clear entryway to your front door for delivery drivers and services to access without coming into contact with your dog
• keep your dog on a leash no longer than 2 metres when you are in public areas, unless in a designated off-leash area
• train your dog to return to you when called. This is particularly important when in an off-leash area
• control your dog on a leash - children should not be without an adult when walking a dog
• do not walk more than 2 dogs at once
• socialise your dog – this can help to decrease aggression, fear or anxiety with other dogs and people
• desex your dog – this can decrease aggressive behaviour
• always supervise your kids around dogs. Understand your dogs boundaries and don’t let you children impose on their personal space especially when they are eating, sleeping or feeling unwell. Making loud noises, running, yelling, hitting, pulling a dog’s fur, dressing them up or lifting them awkwardly will increase the risk of a dog bite
• keep your dog tethered when riding in a vehicle for their safety. No part of your dog should be able to protrude outside of your vehicle’s boundary.

Report a dog attack

To report a dog attack, please call us immediately on 07 3412 3412.

An investigator from our Animal Management Program will contact you as soon as possible. Our investigator will want to discuss:

• the date, time and location of the attack
• a description of the dog – things like the colour, breed and size are critical
• any injuries received – photos, vet reports or medical statements will be required
• details of where the dog lives or the dog's owner (if you know).

Investigators will need a statement of events. While the incident is fresh in your memory, please download and fill in a Dog attack statement form (PDF 461 KB).

We take dog attacks seriously and employ a range of enforcement initiatives when responding to dog attacks. Owners of dogs that attack may receive infringement notices or be prosecuted. Dogs that attack may be seized, regulated as dangerous or menacing and in severe cases, destroyed.

Council takes dog attacks seriously. Reporting is crucial for us to take action.

What happens if my dog attacks?

A dog attack does not always result in a bite or injury. If your dog causes fear to a person or another animal, by rushing at or chasing them, Council can take enforcement action against you.

If your dog attacks a person or animal, causing injury penalties can include:

• fines
• your dog being regulated as a dangerous or menacing dog
• your dog may be seized and destroyed in cases where severe injuries occur or when your dog has a history of attacking.
• court action, prosecution.

For the safety of our community, we are often required to declare a dog as a regulated dangerous or menacing dog.

Some of the reasons we regulate dogs as dangerous or menacing may include when the dog has:

• injured a person or another animal by biting
• attacked a person or another animal
• rushed at or chased a person or another animal.

The owner of a regulated dangerous or menacing dog must meet strict requirements, including:

• providing a specified enclosure which will be inspected by an authorised person each year
• desexing the dog (dangerous only)
• muzzling the dog when in a public place (dangerous only)
• paying increased annual registration fees
• not taking the dog to designated dog off-leash areas
• displaying distinctive warning signs on gates and fences as a public notice
• the dog must, at all times, wear a regulated dog collar and dog tag

Failure to adhere to any of the above will result in heavy penalties and potential destruction of the dog.

The Queensland Government – Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (the Act) authorises Council officers to seize and impound aggressive dogs, especially when there is a risk to public safety. Council’s Animal Management team investigates and enforces appropriate actions concerning the keeping of aggressive dogs under the Act.

The Animal Management Plan 2023 (PDF 2.3MB) demonstrates our ongoing commitment to upholding city safety and liveability by addressing anti-social animal behaviour and irresponsible animal keeping, with a focus on behaviour change through enforcement.

Prohibited dog breeds

Some dog breeds are prohibited from being kept in Queensland. These include:

• American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier (an American Staffordshire terrier is not an American pit bull terrier)
• Dogo argentino 
• Fila brasileiro 
• Japanese tosa 
• Perro de presa canario.