The Qld Government has introduced tough new laws, including jail time, for irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs.
Along with $7 million committed to community safety, the new laws include fines of up to $108,000 and up to three years jail for the owner of a dog that kills or seriously injures a person, and fines of up to $92,000 for failure to take reasonable steps to ensure a dog does not attack.
Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, said they worked with local governments, the LGAQ and RSPCA Queensland through an Animal Management Taskforce that recommended meaningful changes to these laws.
“Queenslanders backed these changes in their thousands, and we can say to them that the Miles Government has delivered for them – on time and as promised.
“We will keep working with the community to get the message out about these new laws and help people with at-risk dogs to comply to make the community safer.”
Five dog breeds have also been banned in the state – Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and the Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
The changes will be supported with a $7.57 million funding package, which will provide more coordinated, consistent, and effective government action in response to dog attacks, and support dog management initiatives in First Nations communities.
The funding will also include a community education and awareness campaign rolled out over three years to build responsible dog ownership, prevent dog attacks, and reduce the risk of harm from dog attacks.
“We will always put the safety of Queenslanders first and that’s what these important reforms will deliver,” said Furner.
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