Dog attacks surge by 23%

DOG attacks have surged by 23 per cent this year, exceeding the total reported incidents received by Surf Coast Shire Council in 2022.

The council received 47 reports in 2022, and between January 2023 and October 26, 2023, 58 incidents were reported, with 10 dogs seized

Surf Coast Shire General Manager of Community Life, Gail Gatt, stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership.

“Responsible dog ownership is vital to helping keep people, pets and wildlife safe in our community settings, and our message to dog owners is clear; your dog is your responsibility,” Ms Gatt said.

“Owners have a responsibility to ensure their dogs are appropriately trained, and to know and observe local regulations.

“All dogs are required to be on a leash in all public places in township areas, unless it is a designated off-leash area.”

Around 100,000 dog attacks occur annually in Australia. Data from the “Injury in Australia” report shows that dogs caused over 9,500 hospitalisations in 2021-22.

Findings from a 2022 Sydney Children’s Hospital study showed that Pitbull bites resulted in the most hospital admissions. Labradors were the second-highest, followed by Rottweilers.

The study noted that the sheer number of Labradors, due to their popularity, contributed to a higher count of bites and none were associated with fatal incidents.

On the Surf Coast, the Border Collie is the most registered breed, followed by Kelpies, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Jack Russells. In contrast, Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, and American Staffies were the most frequently euthanised across the region.

Victoria has stringent rules around dangerous and menacing dogs.

A dangerous dog is one that the council has deemed dangerous because it has attacked a person or animal.

Under the 1994 Domestic Animals Act, councils can also label a dog as “menacing” for aggressive behaviours.

A dog is deemed menacing when it causes a non-serious bite injury to a person or animal, or if it rushes at or chases a person.

‘Rush at’ means that the dog has approached a person within three metres, displaying behaviour such snarling, growling, barking or raising the hackles.

Owners can face ten years’ imprisonment if their declared dangerous or menacing dog endangers somebody’s life.

“When owners let a dog run in an off-leash area it needs to be under effective control – meaning it returns immediately when called. If it doesn’t it should be on its lead,” Ms Gatt said.

People can report menacing behaviour and dog attacks to Council on 5261 0600 and find more information about dog ownership via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Dogs