The City of Karratha is a pet-friendly City. Sometimes, for the safety of our community, a dog may be declared dangerous if it attacks, repeatedly rushes, threatens, or chases people or animals.
A dog is considered a “Dangerous Dog “if it is declared dangerous, is a restricted breed or is a commercial security dog and An owner of a dangerous dog will be required to:
• Display warning signs indicating a dangerous dog at all access points at the premises where the dog is kept.
• Ensure the dog wears a specific collar indicating a dangerous dog classification
• Keep the dog in a child-proof and escape-proof enclosure when at home.
• Leash and muzzle the dog while in public places, or confine it in an enclosed place if not at home.
• Have the dog sterilized (Restricted Breed only).
• Notify the local council within 24 hours if the dog is missing or ownership changes.
• Advise the new owner in writing that their dog is a restricted breed.
• Be 18 years or over and ensure anyone in charge of the dog in a public place is also 18 or over. The leash or chain must be held by a person who is physically able to control the dog.
Commercial Security dogs
Commercial Security Dogs must be specifically registered and their owners will be required to meet the same requirements as a dangerous dog, including providing supporting documentation.
Restricted Breeds
A restricted dog is defined as a breed whose importation into Australia is prohibited under the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. At present this includes:
- Dogo Argentino (Argentinian fighting dog)
- Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian fighting dog)
- Japanese Tosa
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Pit Bull Terrier breeds
- Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
- Any dog of mixed breed that visibly contains any of the above prohibited breeds.
Infringements and court-imposed fines for a dangerous dog are double the standard infringement, as guided by the Dog Act 1976.
If dangerous dog owners don’t follow the legislation, the City can enforce penalties including infringements or prosecution where the maximum fine is $20,000 and may include imprisonment.
Collars for dangerous dogs
For the safety of the community and your dog, the Dog Act 1976 requires dangerous dogs to wear a specific collar to identify them.
These collars must:
• Have alternate red and yellow stripes, each stripe being 25mm wide and set at an angle of 45 degrees to the rim of the collar.
• Reflect light from at least one of those colours so that the collar can be seen in darkness.
• Be made of durable material.
• Be capable of being securely fastened.
• Be capable of being attached to a leash.
Have a minimum width of:
- 15mm for a dog weighing less that 10kg
- 25mm for a dog weighing 10kg or more but less than 20kg
- 40mm for a dog weighing 20kg or more but less than 40kg
- 50mm for a dog weighing 40kg or more.
Signs for dangerous and restricted dogs
For the safety of the community and your dog, the Dog Act 1976 requires signage on properties housing.
The sign must:
• Be a white rectangle measuring 200mm by 300mm.
• Be made of durable material.
• Contain the word 'WARNING' in white capital letters, 30mm high on a red rectangular panel measuring 190mm by 45mm near the top of the sign.
• Be displayed at each entrance to the premises.
Contain the below 'WARNING' panel with:
- red circle 160mm in diameter containing the black head and neck of a dog 100mm high
- the words 'DANGEROUS DOG' in capital letters 20mm high.
Signs, collars and muzzles are available to purchase from the City of Karratha Ranger Services.