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Responsible Dog Ownership - Western Australian Laws Relating to Dogs
Responsible Dog Ownership
Responsible Dog Ownership
Western Australian Laws Relating to Dogs
Your legal rights and responsibilities are outlined in the Dog Act 1976, the Dog Regulations 1976, the Dog (Restricted Breeds) Regulation 2002, and in local government local laws. Collectively, these laws provide for the registration, ownership and control of dogs in Western Australia.

The Department of Local Government and Regional Development provides a brochure answering common queries, Laws for Responsible Dog Owners, which you can download by clicking herePDF 442.85Kb.

State laws
The Dog Act and associated regulations apply throughout Western Australia. You can view these by going to the website of the State Law Publisher at www.slp.wa.gov.au and performing a search. Enter ‘Dog Act’ in the "exact phrase:" search field to get results for the Dog Act 1976 and/or Current Regulations for the Dog Regulations 1976 and the Dog (Restricted Breeds) Regulations 2002.

Local laws
Local governments enact local laws. A local law enacted by a local government applies only to the area administered by that local government and is not a statewide law.

If you have a query regarding a local law relating to dogs, contact the relevant local government direct.

You can access an index of current local laws relating to dogs in your local government, by clicking here (select your local government from the list; select ‘Current laws only’; type the word ‘dog’ in the field marked ‘Title’; then click ‘Search’).

Amendments to the Dog Act
A review of the Dog Act 1976 has recently occurred which included an extensive round of public consultation including the release of an Issues Paper, a Position Paper, two periods of consultation, nineteen public forums and two workshops.

Approximately 1500 submissions were received.
Out of this response have come 40 proposed amendments that have been approved by the Government.

The proposals have now been drafted into legislation and it is anticipated that the amendments to the Act will be introduced into Parliament during the Spring session 2008.
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