New Queensland Dog Laws (2024)
The Queensland Government has just introduced new laws aimed at preventing dog attacks. The new laws require dogs to be on lead and under control at all times when in public, in response to a 10% increase in dog attacks over the last year.
Somehow we missed this massive change in dog ownership!
It only came to our attention when a Sunshine Coast woman was fined $800 for incorrectly holding her dogs lead last week. She was sitting at a cafe with her foot resting on the lead, which the council is arguing is not “effective control”.
Whether you agree with it or not, these new laws affect all dog owners in Queensland.
Here are the rules:
Dogs must be on leash at all times, except in designated off-leash areas.
In off-leash areas, dogs must be supervised by their owner and responsive to voice commands.
Dogs must not interfere with people.
Regulated dogs are not allowed to be in off-leash areas.
Dogs must be microchipped with owner and registration information.
Most local councils also enforce the following rules:
Dog droppings must be removed and disposed of properly.
Dogs are not allowed in children's playgrounds or barbecue areas.
Dogs are not allowed to be off-leash on sports fields.
Council registrations tags must be worn.
Fines have been doubles to $806 for owners who are not in control of their dog in public. The maximum fine is $108,000 and three years jail for the owner of a dog that kills or maims a person.
It will be interesting to see if these drastic new rules have a positive impact on the dog attack figures in the years to come 🐾
