Dangerous and Menacing Dogs

What is a Dangerous Dog?

Dangerous dogs are those classed as high risk, usually after an attack or aggressive behaviour that is deemed to be a serious threat to any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal or wildlife.

Dog owners with a classified dangerous dog must:

• keep the dog in a property that is securely fenced and allows safe access to at least one door of the dwelling
• neuter the dog within one month of the classification
• muzzle the dog when it is removed from the fenced area of the property or taken into any public place (even when on a leash)
• control the dog on a leash at all times
• pay the dangerous dog rate for dog registration for the rest of the dog's life, this is 150% of normal registration rate
• obtain written permission from the council before selling or disposing of the dog
• disclose the dangerous dog classification to any new owners if there is a change of ownership
• advise any temporary owner or carer of all the requirements.

A dangerous dog classification lasts for the life of the dog.