Vicious dogs: Harsh new penalties for owners over canine attacks

Owners of dangerous dogs that attack people could face up to five years' jail and $75,000 in fines under new laws passed by the ACT Government.

The territory's old laws did not distinguish between dogs that physically attacked and those that harassed through barking or other displays of aggression.

The old maximum penalty when a dog that had been declared dangerous attacked a person or animal was $15,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

Under the new legislation this has been raised to $75,000, imprisonment for five years, or both.

The penalty for a harassment incident will remain at $7,500.

A 'dangerous dog' under territory legislation is one that has been declared as such by the Registrar of Domestic Animal Services after a previous attack, a dog that has been trained as a guard dog, or a dog that has been declared dangerous in another state or territory.

A licence is required for keeping a dangerous dog.

Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said the new laws aimed to differentiate the severity between harass and attack incidents and create penalties that are more in line with community expectations.

"The changes will more clearly define the level of severity between serious dog attack and minor attack and harass incidents," Mr Rattenbury said.

"It is important for dog owners to understand that there are serious ramifications if their dog attacks or harasses another person or animal."

There are an average of 260 dog attacks or harass incidents in the ACT each year, according to the Government.