SA Government to introduce new laws requiring pet owners to exchange contact details after dog attacks

OWNERS of dogs that bite before fleeing with their pets could face massive fines under proposed new laws.

• Dog bites soaring, but mandatory desexing rules are on the way
• Tighter lead on dog owners

OWNERS of dogs that bite before fleeing with their pets could face massive fines under proposed new laws.

New laws would require dog owners to help any person or animal attacked by their pet and to exchange contact information including animal registration details — or face a fine of up to $5000.

The laws would mimic requirements on motorists to exchange registration and insurance details after a car accident.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the new penalty was prompted by a surge in dog attacks.

Last financial year 417 South Australians were admitted to hospital for injuries caused by dogs, up from 340 the previous year.

The trend has risen from 230 hospitalisations in 2011-12.

The total number of dog attacks, including incidents where victims did not need hospital treatment, rose from 1320 to 1560 a year over that period.

“There’s an alarming number of people that are presenting to our hospitals now with injuries sustained by dog attacks,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Chillingly, children are also being caught up in these attacks, which can be scarring not just physically but mentally.”

Environment Minister Ian Hunter said the new rules would make it easier for councils or police to investigate dog attacks.

“These days, with mobile phones and recording devices people can take photographs of you. You can be much more readily identified,” Mr Hunter said.

“It means people will think twice about leaving the scene (of an attack) ... and letting their animal off the leash as well.

“It’s no different to a car accident where you’re required to stop, render assistance and exchange details.”

Paula Donohoe’s six-year-old French Mastiff cross American Staffy Cooper was attacked by another dog, which had been let off a leash, and underwent about $500 of vet treatment.

She questioned whether the new penalty would change the behaviour of reckless owners.

“They’re still just going to grab their dogs and go. When you’re in shock after an attack, (chasing someone for contact details) is the last thing you’re thinking of,” she said.

The latest available data, for 2015-16, shows 58 children aged four years or younger were bitten by a dog, and another 34 victims were aged between five and nine years old.

At the other end of the spectrum, 12 people older than 80 were attacked.

The proposed new law comes in addition to changes which will require all dogs to be microchipped and desexed from July 1 next year, unless they are owned by breeders.

Councils also already have the power to make control orders for dangerous, menacing, nuisance or barking dogs.