Restricted Dog Breeds

Information for owners of restricted breeds of dogs

Section 56(1) of the Companion Animals Act 1998 lists the control requirements that must be complied with by the owners of restricted breeds of dogs which are:-

• Pit Bull Terriers;
• American Pit Bull Terriers;
• Japanese Tosas;
• Argentinean Fighting Dogs; and
• Brazilian Fighting Dogs.

Some of the control requirements are the following:-

• While the dog is on property on which the dog is ordinarily kept, the dog must be kept in a child-proof enclosure.
• The dog must not at any time be in the sole charge of a person under the age of 18 years.
• One or more signs must be displayed on the property showing the words Warning Dangerous Dog in letters clearly visible from the boundaries of the property on which the dog is ordinarily kept.

Section 56(1) of the Act states that:-

An authorised officer can seize a restricted dog if of the opinion that the requirements of section 56 are not reasonably capable of being complied with at the property where the dog is ordinarily kept.