Dog Attack Offences (SA)
In 2025, South Australia’s laws surrounding dog attacks were amended, with penalties increased, making the laws some of the toughest in the country. This page outlines the dog attack offences that exist in South Australia, the penalties that apply, and the context in which the changes were made.
Legislation
South Australia’s dog attack laws are contained in the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. The Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Act 2025 made changes to this Act.
Urging a dog to attack
Under section 44 of the act, it is an offence to urge or a dog to attack, harass, or chase another person, or an animal or bird that belongs to another person. This offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $50,000 or imprisonment for two years.
A person may be guilty of this offence regardless of whether injury was caused.
Aggravated offence of urging a dog to attack
The offence of urging a dog to attack is aggravated if the dog involved is a dangerous dog or a dog a prescribed breed. In this case, the maximum penalty that applies is a fine of $100,000 or imprisonment for four years.
Allowing a dog to attack
Under section 44 of the act, it is an offence to allow a dog to attack, harass, or chase another person, or an animal or a bird that belongs to another person. The maximum penalty that applies for this offence depends on the circumstances.
If the offence results in the death of a person, animal, or a bird the maximum penalty that applies is as follows:
- If the dog is a dangerous dog or a dog a prescribed breed, a fine of $50,000.
- In any other case, a fine of $25,000.
In any other case, the maximum penalty that applies is as follows:
- If the dog is a dangerous dog or a dog of a prescribed breed, a line of $25,000.
- In any other case, a fine of $10,000.
Other offences related to dogs
The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 contains a number of other offences related to failure to control or restrain a dog. These include:
- allowing a dog to wander at large
- transporting an unrestrained dog in the tray of a vehicle
- allowing a dog to cause injury to a person entering premises
- allowing a doctor to enter premises without permission
Other changes
The amending legislation also introduced other changes to the South Australian laws about cats and dogs.
The most significant of the changes was the banning of puppy farms in the state, on the basis that they involve inhumane practices, and exploitation and profiteering.
Other changes included the introduction of a new breeder licensing scheme, which imposed strict standards for the breeding of animals, with mandatory reporting for each litter, and the introduction of new council powers for addressing wandering dogs and excessive barking.
Reasons for the changes
The changes were made to improve animal welfare, prevent cruelty and to improve public safety.
Dog attacks are a significant problem in South Australia with around 500 people hospitalised each year after being bitten by a dog. The number of dog attacks per year has increased in the last decade. The introduction of higher penalties for allowing a dog to attack a person or animal and the creation of new council powers are aimed at addressing this situation and at deterring bad behaviour by dog owners.
The ban on large scale puppy farms was introduced to address the proliferation of commercial puppy farms that involved overcrowding, poor veterinary care, and early separation from mothers.
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Fernanda Dahlstrom is a writer, editor and lawyer. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Latrobe University), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law), a Bachelor of Arts (The University of Melbourne) and a Master of Arts (Deakin University). Fernanda practised law for eight years, working in criminal law, child protection and domestic violence law in the Northern Territory, and in family law in Queensland.