In the 2020-21 financial year, we had seven serious dog attacks - six on dogs and one on a person. In several prior cases of dog attacks on people, the victim was hospitalised.
Any breed or size of dog can become aggressive when defending its territory. Attacks are not always from dangerous or restricted dogs and can be from ‘unexpected’ breeds not generally associated with aggression.
Most dog attacks happen in public places, on the footpath or road. For this reason, it is important your dog is on a leash in on-leash areas and under effective control in off-leash areas. When your dog is in your property, you need to keep it securely confinedOpens in new tab.
The City of Melbourne’s animal management officers frequently patrol the parks, open spaces and streets in the municipality to maintain harmony and ensure dog owners are complying with off/on-leash requirements. However, it’s vital that both dog owners are mindful of their dog and others, and keep their dog under effective control. It’s also important that anyone involved in a dog attack captures details and reports the matter to the City of Melbourne, as we take these matters very seriously.
Unfortunately, many dog attacks still go unreported. If you are attacked or rushed at by a dog in the City of Melbourne, make sure you exchange details with the dog owner and please report the incident to us immediately.
Reporting incidents
If you observe threatening behaviour or are attacked by a dog within the City of Melbourne, please report it immediately. If you need urgent advice, please call us on 03 9658 9658.
City of Melbourne animal management officers patrol nearly 480 hectares of parks and open spaces. This includes streets across the municipality. We make sure that dog owners are complying with leashing requirements. Ensuring dogs are under effective control when in off-leash areas, minimises the risk of an attack occurring in our busy parks. While our focus is on educating pet owners, we do issue fines if necessary.
If you’re a dog owner, your dog must be on a leash when it's on the street and in most open spaces (unless it's a specified off-leash area). Your dog should always be under effective control, regardless of whether it’s an on or off-leash area. It's important to know where your dog is at all times. You should be able to call it back to you and ensure it obeys your instructions.
Dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs are treated differently by law.
- Dangerous dogs are declared because they have attacked, are used for guarding, or have been trained to attack.
- Menacing dogs are declared because they have attacked a person or animal, causing minor injury, or because they have rushed at or chased someone.
- Restricted breed dogs are declared if they are a particular breed, not because they have attacked. They may have never displayed any signs of aggression, but have been deemed to be a higher risk to the community.
Owners of dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs are subject to strict requirements. All of these types of dogs are required to be muzzled and on a leash when outside the owner’s premises.
Find out more information about dangerous dogsOpens in new tab, menacing dogsOpens in new tab and restricted breed dogsOpens in new tab.
There is also a different registration process for these dogs. Find out more on our pet registrations page.
Due to extra legal requirements, these dogs can't be registered the same way ordinary dogs can be. Each application is considered by the City of Melbourne before being accepted.
If you would like to register one of these dogs you must complete a registration application form and return it following the instructions on the form. You cannot apply to register these dogs online.
