Crackdown on dangerous dogs pays off

Published 5:00am 8 February 2023

The number of owners of dangerous dogs failing to meet permit conditions has fallen dramatically since Moreton Bay Regional Council introduced a regular inspection program in 2019-20.

Council’s crackdown on declared dangerous and menacing dogs through the Systematic Inspection Program will continue this year to ensure owners of regulated dogs are doing the right thing.

Under the annual program, non-compliance rates from owners of declared dangerous and menacing dogs plunged from 31 percent to just 2.5 percent since it was rolled out in 2020.

The Moreton Bay Region is home to 210 declared dangerous dogs, 95 declared menacing dogs and one declared restricted dogs.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway says the program is part of Council's zero tolerance approach to serious dog attacks in the region.

Proactive response

“Dogs can be great companions, but not at the expense of people’s safety,” Deputy Mayor Shipway says.

“This program was a direct response to an unacceptable amount of serious dog attacks on people and other animals in Moreton Bay in previous years.

“By proactively monitoring declared dangerous and menacing dogs, we can make sure owners adhere to strict State Government conditions that help prevent them attacking again.

“The crackdown has so far proved to be a great success with non-compliance numbers from owners at an all-time low.

Owners off to court

In November last year, Councillors voted to send nine dog owners in the Moreton Bay Region to court in coming months, with their pets accused of injuring other animals so badly they had to be euthanised, and mauling a person.

Deputy Mayor Shipway says there were 765 serious dog attacks in 2019, with 722 recorded in 2022 - despite the region being one of the fastest growing in the country during that period.

“While I’d like that amount to be zero, the reduction in attacks is a positive step forward.

“Dangerous dogs and menacing dogs have been declared by Council following their involvement in an incident where the dog has been involved in an attack on a person or animal.

“There are different requirements for keeping a regulated dangerous or menacing dog and it’s the owner’s responsibility to always comply with the mandatory conditions.”

This year’s inspections will take place between March 1 and June 30.