Moreton Bay Regional Council crackdown on dangerous dogs

There are more than 300 dangerous dogs registered in this region — many of them are responsible for the 700 dog attacks recorded each year. Council has a new plan to keep these dogs controlled.

More than 700 dog attacks are recorded every year in the Moreton Bay region and the council hopes its new plan to keep a closer eye on the almost 400 regulated dogs will reduce the number of attacks.

The move, to be voted on at Wednesday’s council meeting, coincides with a new state government directive that all regulated dogs must wear a specific collar with red and yellow angled reflective stripes.

Statistics revealed that 735 dog attacks had been reported to Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2020, down on the 765 reported in 2019.

Council had 382 regulated dogs at the end of 2021.

Councillors will vote on Wednesday to introduce a systematic inspection program for regulated dogs.

The program gives authorised and trained council officers power to enter any property within the region where a regulated dog is registered.

Inspections will take place between March 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022, with the aim of ensuring all dog owners are complying with rules such as keeping their dog in an appropriate enclosure.

Council officers conducting the inspections will be kitted up with audio-recording body cameras. If officers identify residents not complying with the legislation they will go through their normal enforcement chanels, which can involve court proceedings and hefty fines.

The report, which will be presented at Wednesday’s meeting, states by ensuring regulated dogs are kept accordingly it will reduce the risk of them escaping and attacking other animals and people.