Penalties

'On the spot' penalties that exist for offences under the Companion Animals Act 1998: 

Dog offences 

• Animal not permanently identified: $165;
• Sell Animal not permanently identified: $165;
• Animal not registered: $165;
• Fail to comply with notice to register animal: $165;
• Not notify change in registration/identification: $165;
• Give false/misleading information to Director General: $165;
• Dog without collar and name tag: $165;
• Dog not under effective control: $220;
• Owner fail to take reasonable precaution to prevent dog from escaping property $220;
• Dog in prohibited place: $330;
• Greyhound/prescribed dog not muzzled: $165;
• Fail to remove dog faeces: $275;
• Fail to comply with nuisance dog order: $275;
• Own dog that rushes at/attacks/bites/harasses/chases person or animal: $550;
• In charge of dog that rushes at/attacks/bites/harasses/chases person or animal: $550.

Dangerous/restricted dogs

• Dangerous/restricted dog not permanently identified: $1,320;
• Sell dangerous/restricted dog not permanently identified: $1,320;
• Dangerous/restricted dog not registered: $1,320;
• Not notify change in registration/identification dangerous/restricted dog: $1,320;
• Restricted/dangerous dog without collar, tags and name: $1,320;
• Restricted/dangerous dog not under effective control: $1,760;
• Restricted/dangerous dog in prohibited place: $1,760;
• Dog to be declared dangerous not on lead/muzzled: $1,320;
• Fail to comply with control requirements for restricted/dangerous dog: $1,320;
• Sell/advertise restricted/proposed restricted dog: $1,320;
• Accept ownership of restricted/proposed restricted dog: $1,320;
• Cause/permit restricted/proposed restricted dog to breed: $1,320;
• Advertise restricted/proposed restricted dog for breeding: $1,320.

Cat offences 

• Cat not wearing identification: $110;
• Own cat found in prohibited place: $110;
• Fail to comply with nuisance cat order: $165.

Other offences    

• Give false misleading information in registration application: $165;
• Wilfully obstruct authorised officer: $165;
• Interfere with permanent identification: $165;
• Fail to comply with requirement to state name and address: $275;
• Provide false name or address in purported compliance: $275.
• Fail to take seized animal to owner/pound: $550.

Offences taken to court
If Council believes that an offence should be taken to court, or you elect to go to court to appeal the issue of an 'on the spot' fine, that potential court imposed penalties are much higher. Court costs may also be applicable.