Dog ownership rules and management
If you own a dog, you need to make sure you are a responsible dog owner. This is for the safety of your pet, you and your family, and other people and animals in the community.
Download the Responsible Dog Ownership brochure
The City's
Consolidated Local Law 2020 regulates how dogs must be kept within the City. There are certain requirements regarding how dogs must be confined to a property and on the number of dogs which can be kept on a property.
View the City of Belmont Consolidated Local Law 2020
Barking dogs
Most dogs will bark sometimes, but if a dog barks continually without reason this could be considered an offence under the
Dog Act 1976.
There are many reasons why a dog may bark and often the owner may not be aware that their dog is causing a nuisance.
If your neighbour’s dog is barking and causing a nuisance, the best place to start is with a polite and friendly conversation with your neighbour. They may not be aware of the problem and there may be a simple way to fix it.
If you have discussed this with your neighbour and the dog continues to bark, please phone 9477 7224 to speak with a Ranger or complete the
contact form. Investigating dog barking complaints can be a lengthy process and you may need to keep a “Barking Diary” over a period of fourteen days.
Dog attacks
A dog does not have to inflict physical injuries to be classed as an attack under the
Dog Act 1976. If a dog attacks, the owner or person in control of the dog at the time can be held responsible.
To report all incidents or attacks, regardless of the situation, please phone City Rangers on 9477 7224 at all hours.
Dangerous dogs
The City may declare an individual dog as “dangerous” for offences including causing injury, repeated rushing, threatening or chasing people or animals.
If your dog is declared dangerous, this will impose strict requirements and restrictions on you and your dog, along with increased penalties for any further offences against the
Dog Act 1976.
Restricted breeds
A restricted dog is defined as a breed which is not allowed to be imported into Australia under the
Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
This currently includes these breeds:
- Dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog)
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog)
- Japanese tosa
- American pit bull terrier
- Pit bull terrier breeds
- Any dog of mixed breed that visibly contains any of the above prohibited breeds
If you have a restricted breed dog, you need to:
- Fit your dog with a specified collar indicating a dangerous dog;
- Display warning signs indicating a dangerous dog at all access points where your dog is kept;
- Keep your dog in a child-proof and escape proof enclosure when at home;
- Leash and muzzle the dog while in public places, or confine it in an enclosed place if not;
- Have your dog sterilised;
- Notify the local council within 24 hours if the dog is missing or if ownership changes;
- Advise a new owner in writing that their dog is a restricted breed;
- Be 18 years or over and make sure anyone in charge of the dog in public places is also 18 or over, as the leash or chain must be held by a person who is physically able to control the dog.
If you do not follow regulations regarding your restricted breed dog, you could face criminal charges under the
Dog Act 1976.