Increase Dog Attacks In Albany Prompt Warning From City

More than 100 dog attacks are reported to rangers each year in the City of Albany, who are now appealing to dog owners to take more responsibility for their pets.

Uncontrolled dogs pose a risk to community safety and in the event of an attack, can attract significant penalties for its owner and result in the dog being declared dangerous or even destroyed.

Ranger Team Leader Colin Hyde said dog attacks could result in serious injuries or even death to other persons, pets or livestock.

“Dog attacks are a very serious matter and dog owners need to take responsibility for the control of their dog,” he said. “We receive far too many reports of dog attacks in our community and the last thing we want to see is someone maimed or killed because of a careless dog owner.”

Under the Dog Act, rangers can issue an infringement of $400 to the owner or person in control of a dog at the time of an attack or pursue charges through the court that can result in a fine of up to $10,000, or a fine up to $20,000 if it is a declared dangerous dog.

Owner responsibility includes ensuring dogs in a public place (except within a designated animal exercise area) are leashed or harnessed by a person capable of controlling the dog, or are securely tethered, and if running within an exercise area can be controlled on command.