Media response - dog attacks
Published on 27 March 2025
Response to The Advertiser.
- I am a reporter with The Advertiser looking at dog attacks across LGA's in Adelaide and surrounds. Could I please have a response to the following questions? How many dogs are registered in your LGA? How many dog attacks have been reported in the past three financial years? What penalties do dog owners face if their dog attacks another animal or person in your LGA? Any other comments?
How many dogs are registered in your LGA?
34,513 dogs were registered in the City of Onkaparinga in 2023–24. The City of Onkaparinga is South Australia’s largest metropolitan council and represents about 10 per cent of SA’s population and 11 per cent of South Australia’s registered dog population.
How many dog attacks have been reported in the past three financial years?
Dog attack reports received by the City of Onkaparinga in the past 3 financial years:
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City of Onkaparinga
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2022–23
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2023–24
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2024–25
as at 24 March 2025
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Dog attack reports
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299
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267
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222
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What penalties do dog owners face if their dog attacks another animal or person in your LGA?
Penalties are set out within the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and apply to all offenders irrespective of their council area. Current penalties for a dog attack offence, section 44(2), are:
Maximum penalty:
- If the dog is a dangerous dog or a dog of a prescribed breed-
- For a first offence - $5,000
(ii) For a second offence - $10,000
- In any other case - $2,000
Expiation fee:
- If the dog is dangerous dog or a dog of a prescribed breed - $750
- In any other case - $315
A dog owner may also be subject to a Control Order.
The Act makes provision for Nuisance, Menacing, Dangerous Dog and Destruction Orders (section 50) as well as Prohibition Orders (section 59A), prohibiting a person from acquiring or being responsible for the control of a dog.
Council uses Orders to prevent the recurrence of a dog attack, to have unduly dangerous dogs destroyed, and to prohibit repeat offenders of dangerous dogs from acquiring or being responsible for the control of any dog.
Any other comments?
The Minister of the Department for Environment and Water recently completed a review of the Dog and Cat Management Act and proposed a significant increase to dog attack penalties – an amendment bill is before parliament.
ENDS