Attacks and dog safety

We love dogs! But even good dogs have bad days. There are many reasons dogs will bite, please learn about dog bite safety at >Good dogs have bad days<

Check out Good dogs have bad days for tips for being safe around dogs.

What to do if a dog attacks?

In the event of a dog attack, your first priority is to make yourself and your dog safe and then seek medical or veterinary treatment as required. Check the welfare of others involved and exchange details if safe to do so. 

Call 000 if emergency medical or police response is required.

Report the incident to the local council for investigation and securing roaming dog/s.

After an attack, observe and collect as much information as you can, such as:

• Date, time and location
• Description of the dog/s including registration disc or collar details
• Description of the owner including name, address, phone number
• Description of car including car registration number, make, model, colour
• Direction the dog/s went following the attack
• Description and photographs of any injuries to you and your pet
• Contact details of any witnesses

>> Dog Incident Investigations - Information Sheet <<

Report the attack to council 

Find which council to contact based on the location of the attack: SA councils list and map | LGA South Australia

Why report dog attacks?

Dogs don’t have to like everyone, but attacking is not normal dog behaviour. Reporting dog attacks to council is important because:

• It may not be the first time, and reporting helps council build an accurate history
• Council can investigate and may take action to prevent it happening again
• It demonstrates the seriousness of the behaviour to ensure the owner takes appropriate action
• It helps council understand community safety issues within their local area and respond appropriately

Dangerous dogs

If a dog has a menacing or dangerous control order, it must wear a yellow and red striped collar to identify it. This collar warns others to be cautious and give the dog space. Any dog of any breed or size can be dangerous.

If you find a wandering dog wearing a yellow and red striped collar, call your council immediately. 

Dog Bite Research

The Dog and Cat Management Board carries out research on dog incidents, incorporating survey findings, hospital data, and council data to inform dog‑bite prevention strategies.

Board member, Associate Professor Susan Hazel and data analyst Dr Ivan Iankov researched dog bite data collected in South Australia and dog bite educational campaigns. Their research paper was published in the Preventive Veterinary Medicine journal: A public health campaign to increase awareness of the risk of dog bites in South Australia - ScienceDirect.