The Western Australian Government has introduced the Dog Amendment Bill before State Parliament, which seeks to make significant improvements to existing legislation that governs the management of dog complaints.

 

The Bill makes amendments to the Dog Act 1976, including:

  • Improving community safety through increased controls over dangerous dogs, including restricted dog breeds, and higher penalties encouraging more responsible dog ownership;
  • Enabling nuisance dogs, including nuisance barking dogs, to be more effectively dealt with;
  • Recognition of assistance dogs as an extension of the guide dog provisions; and
  • Meeting changing community expectations in areas such as microchipping, lifetime dog registrations and impounding provisions.

 

A copy of this Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum are available on the Parliament of Western Australia’s website www.parliament.wa.gov.au in the ‘Current Bills’ section and on the Department of Local Government’s website www.dlg.wa.gov.au in the ‘Legislation Under Review’ section.