Are you at risk of a shocking $1,650 fine? Thousands of Aussies are unaware!
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As a nation of pet lovers, Australians cherish their furry companions, often treating them as part of the family.
However, many pet owners may not realise that stringent regulations exist to ensure that pet love and care do not become a public nuisance or danger.
In one Aussie state, overlooking these rules could hit your wallet hard, with fines ranging from $1,650 to a staggering $44,000.
Avinash Singh, a lawyer with Astor Legal, has raised the alarm for pet owners in New South Wales—Australia’s most populous state—to familiarise themselves with local council regulations regarding domestic animals.
It's not just about keeping your pet safe and secure; it's also about protecting yourself from unexpected and hefty fines.
Many pet owners are caught off guard when they find a fine in their mailbox for what they thought was just their dog being a dog.
Excessive barking, wandering away from home, or even repeated attacks on other animals or people can lead to your pet being declared a ‘nuisance’ by the local council.
And once that happens, the fines can be significant.
Singh shared that his clients are often ‘shocked’ to receive such fines, and many are unaware that these penalties even exist.
‘Fines for these offences are reasonably common in NSW. Statistics from the Judicial Commission show that since 2020, there have been hundreds of fines issued for various offences against dog owners,’ he pointed out.
‘In my experience, many dog owners are shocked when they receive a fine or notice from the council in relation to behaviour such as excessive barking or their dog being at large.’
According to Singh, the fines can escalate quickly, especially if a dog attack occurs, with the maximum penalty reaching $44,000.
While such extreme cases are rare, the lawyer warned that ‘it is not unusual to see people stung in excess of $5,000’.
‘What is more common is when a dog owner chooses to apply to the court to overturn a fine or a nuisance dog order, the local council will apply for the dog owner to pay their legal costs. I have seen this increase the amount payable to over $10,000 in some cases,’ he explained.
‘There have been well over 100 of these offences committed in the past few years. This might reflect the lack of knowledge about lesser offences and a subsequent lack of reporting of them as opposed to dog attacks.’
It's important to note that a local council will issue a notice if they intend to declare a dog a nuisance, giving owners the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
‘A lawyer specialising in this area will be able to prepare the letter of objection and make submissions opposing the nuisance dog order,’ Singh advised.
‘Often, having your dog complete an accredited dog training course can be a strong argument opposing a nuisance dog declaration.’
Unfortunately, it's often neighbours who report misbehaving dogs.
‘This is for two reasons,’ Singh continued. ‘Firstly, they are usually the ones most affected by it.’
‘Secondly, as there is a general lack of knowledge about these offences, when neighbours have acrimonious relationships, often they are motivated to search for reasons to take complaints to council.’
‘The behaviour of a dog is often at the top of the list of complaints—whether the complaint is truthful or not,’ he added.
As Australian states tighten regulations to enhance public safety and animal welfare, residents should be aware of the significant fines they may face.
In New South Wales, a little-known law carries a hefty $1,650 penalty for certain infractions that many may unknowingly commit.
Meanwhile, South Australia is taking a tougher stance on irresponsible pet ownership. Dog owners who encourage rabid behaviour in their pets could face fines of up to $50,000.
These evolving regulations underscore the importance of understanding local laws to avoid costly penalties and ensure community safety.
We encourage our readers to share their experiences and tips on responsible pet ownership. Have you ever faced challenges with your pets and neighbours? How did you resolve them? Let us know in the comments below, and let's help each other stay informed and fine-free!
However, many pet owners may not realise that stringent regulations exist to ensure that pet love and care do not become a public nuisance or danger.
In one Aussie state, overlooking these rules could hit your wallet hard, with fines ranging from $1,650 to a staggering $44,000.
Avinash Singh, a lawyer with Astor Legal, has raised the alarm for pet owners in New South Wales—Australia’s most populous state—to familiarise themselves with local council regulations regarding domestic animals.
It's not just about keeping your pet safe and secure; it's also about protecting yourself from unexpected and hefty fines.
Pet owners in New South Wales could incur fines ranging from $1,650 to $44,000 if their pets are considered a nuisance by local councils. Credit: Facebook / PTSD Dogs Australia
Many pet owners are caught off guard when they find a fine in their mailbox for what they thought was just their dog being a dog.
Excessive barking, wandering away from home, or even repeated attacks on other animals or people can lead to your pet being declared a ‘nuisance’ by the local council.
And once that happens, the fines can be significant.
Singh shared that his clients are often ‘shocked’ to receive such fines, and many are unaware that these penalties even exist.
‘Fines for these offences are reasonably common in NSW. Statistics from the Judicial Commission show that since 2020, there have been hundreds of fines issued for various offences against dog owners,’ he pointed out.
‘In my experience, many dog owners are shocked when they receive a fine or notice from the council in relation to behaviour such as excessive barking or their dog being at large.’
According to Singh, the fines can escalate quickly, especially if a dog attack occurs, with the maximum penalty reaching $44,000.
While such extreme cases are rare, the lawyer warned that ‘it is not unusual to see people stung in excess of $5,000’.
‘What is more common is when a dog owner chooses to apply to the court to overturn a fine or a nuisance dog order, the local council will apply for the dog owner to pay their legal costs. I have seen this increase the amount payable to over $10,000 in some cases,’ he explained.
‘There have been well over 100 of these offences committed in the past few years. This might reflect the lack of knowledge about lesser offences and a subsequent lack of reporting of them as opposed to dog attacks.’
It's important to note that a local council will issue a notice if they intend to declare a dog a nuisance, giving owners the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
‘A lawyer specialising in this area will be able to prepare the letter of objection and make submissions opposing the nuisance dog order,’ Singh advised.
‘Often, having your dog complete an accredited dog training course can be a strong argument opposing a nuisance dog declaration.’
Unfortunately, it's often neighbours who report misbehaving dogs.
‘This is for two reasons,’ Singh continued. ‘Firstly, they are usually the ones most affected by it.’
‘Secondly, as there is a general lack of knowledge about these offences, when neighbours have acrimonious relationships, often they are motivated to search for reasons to take complaints to council.’
‘The behaviour of a dog is often at the top of the list of complaints—whether the complaint is truthful or not,’ he added.
As Australian states tighten regulations to enhance public safety and animal welfare, residents should be aware of the significant fines they may face.
In New South Wales, a little-known law carries a hefty $1,650 penalty for certain infractions that many may unknowingly commit.
Meanwhile, South Australia is taking a tougher stance on irresponsible pet ownership. Dog owners who encourage rabid behaviour in their pets could face fines of up to $50,000.
These evolving regulations underscore the importance of understanding local laws to avoid costly penalties and ensure community safety.
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