Victims of Dog Attacks

What is the prosecution process?
If the dog owner is charged with an offence by
Council or Police, the case will be heard in the
Magistrates’ Court.
Depending on the severity of the attack, the dog
may be seized by officers and kept in custody
Victims of
Dog Attacks
until the outcome of the Court case. A decision
regarding the dog’s future will be made after
successful prosecution of the matter.
The dog owner (defendant) has the opportunity to
plead guilty or not guilty.
If the defendant pleads not guilty, the case will be
adjourned to another date for contest and all
witnesses will be called to present evidence.
If the defendant is found not guilty, the dog/s
is/are returned and the Court may order Council
to pay the owner’s costs.
For More information
Visit the City of Casey website:
www.casey.vic.gov.au/pets or
Telephone: 03 9705 5200
If the defendant pleads guilty, a summary of the
incident is presented to the Court by Council’s
prosecutor and a decision will be made by the
Magistrate.
TTY: 9705 5568
TIS: 131 450
(Translating and Interpreting Service)
PO Box 1000
Narre Warren VIC 3805
If the defendant is found guilty, the Court can
order a good behaviour bond, fine/s, Court costs
and/or costs to the victim/s and/or the owner of
the attacked dog and/or cat. The Court may also
order the dog to be destroyed or Council may
declare the dog as ‘Dangerous’. (as per the
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act
81/1994).
Council has also a selection of information
pamphlets provided by other agencies available
from Council.
You can also visit the State Government’s
website about responsible pet ownership at
www.pets.info.vic.gov.au
Important Information:
Victims of
Dog Attacks
All residents and visitors in the City of Casey
have the right to use public land without fear of
being attacked by a dog, and any dog attack on
a person and/or animal should be reported to
the City of Casey on Telephone: 9705 5200.
Who is legally responsible for a dog?
The provisions of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance)
Animals Act 81/1994, enables authorised officers of
Dog owners, or the person in control of the dog at the
Council, to take proceedings on behalf of Council
time, are legally and financially responsible if their dog
and the victim against the
attacks or bites another person and/or animal/s. For
offending dog owner that
example, if you are caring for somebody else’s
has allegedly offended
Encouraging a dog to attack, harass or chase
another person and/or animal is a serious
offence.
dog when it attacks
against the Act.
Severe penalties and orders can apply to
offending dog owners.
liable for related costs.
another person and/or
animal, you may be held
Information for Victims
of Dog Attacks
What does the investigation process entail?
When should you report a dog attack?
Once a victim of a dog attack has contacted Council,
If you, and/or someone else, or your dog and/or cat
an officer will attend and speak with you regarding the
have been attacked by a dog, you should report the
incident. The officer will also need to gather as much
attack to the City of Casey or the Police as soon as
evidence about the attack including a detailed
possible. It is important that you remember as many
description of the dog/s that attacked, time, date,
details as possible about the attack and the dog/s
location of where the attack took place, where it lives
description, so Council has more information for the
and its owner.
investigation.
If it is determined that an attack has taken place,
authorised officers will interview all witnesses,
including the victim/s of the attack and gather the
Who investigates and enforces the laws
relating to dogs?
evidence. The alleged dog owner will be invited for a
Dog attacks are very serious and authorised officers of
their dog/s. After all the evidence has been gathered, a
Council may seize the dog/s and hold it while they
decision will be made on whether the matter will be
investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
resolved by issuing infringement notices, animal
formal interview to respond to the allegations involving
management agreement or proceed to Court.