Dog attacks, dangerous and menacing dogs

This section looks at:

• dangerous dogs FAQs
• dog attack FAQs
• requirements for owners of dangerous dogs
• requirements for owners of menacing dogs
• prevention of dog attacks in public places
• tips on prevention of dog attacks in homes.

Find out more about guard dogs (used for guarding non residential premises) and restricted breed dogs (such as American Pit Bull Terriers).

Relevant definitions:

• Dangerous dog: a dog that the Council has declared dangerous because it has caused the death of or serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking. Councils can also declare dogs to be dangerous if the dog is a menacing dog and its owner has received at least 2 infringement notices for failing to comply with restraint requirements, if the dog has been declared dangerous under corresponding legislation in another State/Territory, or for any other reason prescribed. 
• Guard dog: a dog that is kept for the purpose of guarding non residential premises is automatically a dangerous dog under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
• Menacing dog: a dog that the Council has declared Menacing due to it rushing or chasing a person, or causing a non serious bite injury to a person or animal. "Rush at" means that the dog has approached a person within 3 metres in a menacing manner, this includes displaying aggressive behaviour such as snarling, growling and raising the hackles.
• Restricted breed dog: defined as dogs that fit the Victorian "Approved Standard" for an American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier), Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario), Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, or Fila Brasileiro.
• Serious injury: an injury requiring medical or veterinary attention in the nature of a broken bone, a laceration, the total or partial loss of sensation or function in a part of the body, or an injury requiring cosmetic surgery.