Dangerous Dog Regulations and Legislation in TAS
Click below to Download your Printable Dangerous Dogs Act Fact Sheet in Tasmania.
The Dog Control Act 2000 of Tasmania recognizes and requires all dog owners with declared dangerous dogs and restricted breed dogs comply with the Act’s requirements or face fines and penalties. The purpose of this Act is to protect the public from an attack or the possibility of an attack from these dogs.
We have compiled some of the most important facts of the Act for dog owners to be able to comply with the Act’s requirements easily. This is only meant to be used as a guide for easy compliance. For more details, contact your local council.
Table of Contents
Dangerous Dogs and Restricted Breed Dogs in TAS
Dangerous Dogs in Tasmania
Restricted Breed Dogs in Tasmania
TAS Dog Owner Requirements - How to comply?
Dangerous Dog Collar - Do I need one in TAS?
Dangerous Dog Warning Sign for TAS - Which one do I need?
Dog Muzzle and Leash for TAS
Dangerous Dog Enclosure - What is required in TAS?
Other Dangerous Dog and Restricted Breed Dog Requirements
Dangerous and Restricted Breed Dogs in TAS
The Act defines two types of dogs. All dogs in Tasmania can be declared dangerous so all dog owners should know this information to avoid a declaration. Restricted breed dogs on the other hand are specific dog breeds known to be naturally aggressive. If a dog owner in Tasmania owns a declared dangerous dog or a dog that fits the descriptions of a restricted dog breed, the law requires them to comply with the Act’s requirements or face large fines.
Dangerous Dogs in Tasmania
Any dog in Tasmania no matter what size or breed can be declared dangerous. The local council may declare a dog to be a dangerous dog if the dog has caused serious injury to a person or animal. If the council believes that a dog is likely to cause a serious injury to a person or animal, it is not required to wait for an attack or cause serious injury to a person or animal and may immediately declare the dog to be a dangerous dog.
Restricted Breed Dogs in Tasmania
Due to a widespread community concern about dog attacks, several dog breeds that are predisposed to aggressive behaviour as well as physical traits that enables the dog to make an attack more severe. Restricted Breed Dogs may become Dangerous Dogs if they cause serious injury to a person or animal. Restricted dogs include the following:
- • dogo Argentino
- • fila Brasileiro
- • Japanese tosa
- • American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
- • Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
- • All dogs declared as restricted dogs in other States
- • Any other dog banned from import to Australia under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth
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TAS Dog Owner Obligations – How to comply?
The Act enumerates several requirements that must be complied if a dog owner owns a declared Dangerous Dog or a dog that fits the descriptions of a Restricted Dog. We have listed some of the main requirements to help dog owners in Tasmania easily comply with the Act and avoid any fines or penalties it may charge a dog owner for each offense.
Dangerous Dog Collar – Approved Collar for TAS
A specially designed approved Dangerous Dog Collar must be worn by a Dangerous Dog or Restricted Dog at all times. The collar is of a distinct design, is the main identifier and will easily identify a Dangerous Dog or Restricted Breed Dog at a distance or even in the dark due to at least 1 colour being reflective. The collar is available in several sizes with yellow and red stripes set at an angle of 45 degrees. It is made of durable metal materials and is able to be securely fastened and attached to a leash. Unlike other States, the Act does not require any specific sizes depending on the dog’s weight but they are available as follows:
- • 15mm for dogs weighing less than 10kg
- • 25mm for dogs weighing 10kg to 20kg
- • 40mm for dogs weighing 20kg to 40kg
- • 50mm for dogs weighing over 40kg or more
Dangerous & Restricted Breed Dog Warning Sign for TAS
A Dangerous Dog Warning Sign or a Restricted Breed Dog Warning Sign must be placed at all entrances to the premises as well as the enclosure itself to alert the public that a Dangerous Dog or Restricted Breed Dog is being kept at the premises. The sign must be made of durable metal materials and must have clearly legible text saying “Dangerous Dog”. Failure to comply with this requirement may incur a fine of up to $1,300.
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Dog Muzzle and Leash for Dangerous and Restricted Breed Dogs in TAS
The Dog Control Act 2000 requires that a declared Dangerous Dog or a Restricted Breed Dog must wear a Dog Muzzle at all times when in public or away from the enclosure to prevent it from biting a person or animal as well as being attached and secured to a leash not more than 2 metres long and is being handled by a capable adult at the age of at least 18 years.
Dangerous Dog Enclosure in Tasmania
The Dog Control Regulations 2010 in accordance with the Dog Control Act 2000 requires that a Dangerous Dog or Restricted Breed dog be housed in a proper enclosure when not being handled by a responsible and capable adult. The enclosure must meet the following requirements according to the regulations:
- • Must be fully enclosed sufficient to prevent a dog from escaping
- • Must be childproof
- • Must have a minimum height and width of 1.8m
- • A floor area of at least 10 square metres for each dog
- • Must have walls, roof and door/gate made of brick, timber, concrete, iron, 3.15mm chain mesh with 50mm spacing or 4mm weldmesh with 50mm spacing or a combination of these materials of sufficient strength and durability
- • Door or gate must be self-closing, self-latching, must be locked from the outside and a Dangerous Dog Warning Sign displayed
- • Weatherproof sleeping area for each dog
- • Sealed and graded concrete floor
- • Gap at the top and bottom of wall or door/gate must not be more than 50mm
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Other Requirements for TAS Dangerous and Restricted Dog Owners
The requirements listed below are still a part of the mentioned requirements above. All dog owners with declared Dangerous Dogs or Restricted Breed Dogs must also comply with the following requirements:
- • All Dangerous and Restricted Breed Dogs must be de-sexed.
- • All Dangerous and Restricted Breed Dogs must be microchipped.
- • Buying a Dangerous or Restricted Breed Dog requires approval from a local council.
- • Dangerous and Restricted Breed Dogs must not be allowed to stray or be abandoned.
- • A person must not own more than 2 restricted breed dogs over 6 months of age.
- • The owner must inform the general manager of the following:
- ---- The dog dies
- ---- The dog goes missing
- ---- The dog strays
- ---- The dog is lost
- ---- The dog is sold or given away to another owner (Requires approval from a general manager)
Click below to Download your Fact Sheet so you can Print it and share it with dog owners. You can also upload this fact sheet to your website and send it to your mailing list so people are informed.
The information contained on this page is meant as a general guide and general advice only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. We recommend people follow the instructions of their local government department. These materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete, or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future results. The Dog Line offers this information freely and takes no responsibility for its accuracy. For more details, please contact your local council.
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