Roaming and attacks

Yass Valley Council takes all dog attacks seriously and urges residents to report roaming dogs and all dog attacks. By placing a roaming dog back within the property it comes from, and not reporting it, does not help us work with the owner regarding dog containment.

Dog roaming and attacks cause major problems in the community, including injury to people and other domestic animals, as well as loss of livestock and wildlife. Council takes these issues very seriously and encourages all residents to report roaming dogs and cats and/or attacks by contacting the Ranger during business hours through the Customer Service line on 6226 1477 or the On Call Duty Officer after hours on 0408 625 694.

Your responsibilities as a dog owner

Attacks on livestock (including poultry) are distressing, impact financially on landholders and also affect those who own them. Many of these animals are as much loved family pets as the dogs that are responsible for the attacks.

Rural residential fencing is very rarely sufficient to contain dogs. If you own a dog it is your responsibility to ensure it is secure on your premises. This applies to small, medium or large sized dogs.

If your dog leaves your property and injures, kills or damages a person, animal (excluding vermin) or property you, as the owner, are financially liable for all costs. If your dog is caught attacking a person or animal it may be declared a Dangerous Dog. There are substantial fines for dogs attacking and very heavy costs to owning a declared Dangerous Dog.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Yass Valley Council on 6226 1477 and ask to speak to the Ranger. Please report all incidents even if you can’t identify the responsible dogs as it allows Council to monitor and identify problem areas.

When is a dog roaming?

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 any dog which is in a place (other than where it is ordinarily kept) unaccompanied by a responsible person is a “stray”.

For assistance with aggressive stray dogs, contact Council's Ranger on 6226 1477 during business hours. 

 

When is a cat roaming?

Under the provisions of the NSW Companion Animal Act 1998, cats are prohibited in public food preparation /consumption areas or wildlife protection areas. In all other areas in NSW cats are considered to have no boundaries and are free to roam. This is not a Yass Valley Council position, it is in accordance with NSW government legislation. It is often difficult to determine someone's pet from a stray or homeless cat. Due to this we are unable to seize stray cats.

 

Dog attacks

While only a small percentage of dogs will ever be involved in an attack, the Companion Animals Act 1998 requires that all dogs must be under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash when in public (unless in a designated off-leash area) in order to minimise the chances of an attack occurring, and to protect the welfare of the dog and members of the public. The Act gives Council broad powers to investigate and control, where sufficient evidence exists, any dog that is involved in an attack on a person or another animal.

The definition of a dog attack as per the Act is any dog that rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal.

If your dog leaves your property and injures, kills or damages a person, animal (excluding vermin) or property, you, as the owner, are financially liable for all costs. If your dog is caught attacking a person or animal, it may be declared as a Dangerous Dog. There are substantial fines for dogs attacking and very heavy costs to owning a declared Dangerous Dog.

Yass Valley Council takes all dog attacks seriously and urges all residents to report incursions onto your property.

Section 22 of the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 details action that a person may take to protect property, person or animal.