Dog owners brace for hefty off-leash fines of up to $2700

Residents in several SEQ councils have been put on notice with fines for breaking local dog laws set to surge by 150 per cent.

Fines for dogs breaching off-leash rules will rise to $806 in Redland after new state laws. Picture: Contributed

• Qld’s strangest rules and fines

Dog owners in several South East Queensland councils have been warned to expect hefty fines of up to $2700 if their furry friends break animal management laws, with one poised to bring in massive fine increases of up to 150 per cent this week.

Redland City Council is expected to introduce the new fines this week as part of an overhaul of animal management regulations following a state government review last month and changes to state laws introduced on midnight July 31.

The new laws, including the fines for dog owners who don’t control their pets in public, were rolled out across the state this month.

It is now up to councils to enforce the laws and determine whether fines are warranted.

Under the new state laws, the council can fine a dog owner $806 if a dog is found off-leash in a public area, up from $322, a rise of $484 or 150.312 per cent.

In Brisbane it is five penalty points, or $806, if a dog is not kept under effective control on a leash, and by a person who is able to physically control the dog and is in control of only that dog when in a public place.

In Logan, the fine for a dog found to be off-leash in a public area is also $806.

Ipswich and Moreton councils have comparable fines for a range of off-leash breaches.

Dog owners who allow their pets into restricted zones or fail to control their animals effectively could face fines of up to 20 penalty units, with each penalty unit valued at $161.30, resulting in a potential maximum fine of $2700.

Dogs off-leash can attract hefty fines of up to $806 in Redland. Picture: Contributed

An officer report said the rise reflected a joint effort between state and local authorities to enforce stricter animal management practices.

This development has raised questions among residents and dog owners about the necessity of the high fines, with some suggesting that a more practical solution could be to fence off off-leash areas to better protect both walkers and dogs.

Redland officers were patrolling Aquatic Paradise Park West. Picture: Contributed

Redland City Council officers were on patrol at Aquatic Paradise Park West on the weekend to make sure no dogs were off leash outside the perimeter of the dog park.

Resident Margaret Hardy said officers were issuing fines to dog owners for allowing their dogs to walk from the unfenced dog park to the car without being on a lead.

“There are three or four signs with a map within the grass area and at each end but the rest is ‘guess-timation’ as there is no fence around the dog area,” Ms Hardy said.

Under the guidelines, dogs are prohibited from some public areas including all bathing reserves controlled by the council.

Dogs must stay at least 10m from play and fitness equipment to ensure safety for children and other users.

Dog parks across Redland in green and where dogs are banned.

In Capalaba, dogs are banned from the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre’s display gardens and barbecue and picnic areas, as well as the Swamp Box Conservation Area.

Similarly, in Cleveland, dogs are restricted from all foreshore and seashore areas at Raby Bay, with the exception of the area in front of Raby Bay Foreshore Park between the first two groynes near Masthead Dr and Seacrest Court, which is a designated dog area.

On Coochiemudlo Island, dogs are prohibited from all reserves and the foreshore extending from the boat ramp at Main Beach to Norfolk Beach, Morwong Beach, and the intersection of Elizabeth St and Victoria Pde.

The restrictions also apply to the foreshore and seashore in front of swimming enclosures across Redland Bay, North Stradbroke Island, Russell Island, Macleay Island, Lamb Island, and Karragarra Island.

North Stradbroke Island has additional restrictions, including Cylinder Beach, Myora Springs Reserve, and Brown Lake Conservation Area.

The Ormiston Empire Point Wader Roost is also closed to dogs.

Residents are reminded to check seasonal off-leash areas and shared hours.

Additionally, some locations on North Stradbroke Island, managed in partnership with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, including Brown Lake and Main Beach, have specific regulations.

Originally published as Dog owners brace for hefty off-leash fines of up to $2700