Leash Up, for dog's sake

Most dog attacks reported to councils happen when dogs are off-leash. Leashing your dog can save you, your dog and others a lot of pain and anguish. Any dog can bite if it’s frightened, feels anxious or threatened. An approaching stranger or another dog can unsettle a normally passive dog. When your dog is on a leash, you have a far better chance of controlling it and avoiding what could become a distressing or tragic situation.

In South Australia we are seeing thousands of dog harrassment/attacks reported to councils and around 500 people hospitalised for dog bite trauma each year. It is an offence for a dog to attack or harass a person or animal and can attract a ‘control order’ for the dog and fines for the owner. In severe cases, dogs can be seized and destroyed.

Don’t let your dog be or create another statistic. Keeping your dog on a leash when off your property protects you, your dog and the community from any physical, emotional, physiological or financial harm a dog bite can cause.

Learn about dog bite safety at the Good dogs have bad days website.

What about ‘off-leash’ areas?

Local councils often have their own designated off-leash areas for dogs, like dog parks and some coastal councils allow dogs on beaches off-leash during certain times (not greyhounds—they must always be leashed). These areas are always marked by signage. Only in these situations can you take your dog off-leash. BUT your dog must be under ‘effective control’ which means your dog must remain close to you, within your sight at all times and will return to you when you call it with one call. Dogs that aren’t under effective control in these situations can attract fines for their handlers/owners.