Dogs - Your responsibilities
Dog owners have responsibilities to their pets and other members of the community. Make sure your dog is healthy, groomed, vaccinated, properly exercised and socialised. Dogs must be microchipped and, from the age of six months, lifetime registered with the NSW Companion Animals Register.
For the comfort, safety and health of the community, the NSW Companion Animals Act places the following responsibilities on all owners:
If your dog is in a public place it must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash, except in an approved off-leash area. However, when in the off-leash area it must still be under effective control.
- If your dog defecates in a public place it is an offence not to remove the faeces
- Dogs are prohibited in children’s play areas, food preparation and consumption areas, school grounds, childcare centres and wildlife protection areas
- When in a public place, your dog must wear a collar with a tag attached that shows the dog’s name and your address or phone number