Learn about dangerous dogs including declared and restricted breeds
Dangerous dogs can be categorised into three types, each with its own characteristics to ensure public safety.
Under the Dog Act 1976, the City of Armadale may declare a dog dangerous if:
The dog has caused injury or damage by an attack on, or chasing a person, animal or vehicle, or
The dog has repeatedly, shown a tendency:
to attack, or chase, a person, animal or vehicle even though no injury has been caused by that behaviour; or
to threaten to attack.
Certain breeds of dogs have been identified by the Government as being particularly aggressive. They have been banned from import into Australia. The Dog Act 1976, advises the following dogs as restricted breed dogs:
American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier
Dogo Argentino (Argentinean Fighting Dog)
Fila Brasileiro (Brazillian Fight Dog)
Japanese Tosa
Perro de presa Canario or Presa Canario
This includes dogs that are mixed with these breeds.
A commercial security dog is a dog kept for the purpose of guarding or protecting commercial premises.
If your dog is declared dangerous, in addition to standard dog owner responsibilities you will have stricter requirements placed on you as the owner, as well as a doubling of modified penalties. Dangerous dogs owners must ensure the following:
Dog to wear prescribed collar
Property to display warning signs at every entrance
Escape and child proof fencing
A maximum of two dangerous dogs per property
Dog to be held on leash and muzzled at all times in a public place
Compulsory sterilisation (restricted breed only)
Can only be registered 1 year at a time.
The City Rangers carry out annual inspections of properties for dangerous dog owner to ensure compliance with all restrictions. An inspection fee is charged with each inspection.