Laws for pet owners in Queensland

As a dog owner, you must follow relevant Queensland laws to care for your pet.

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Changes to dog ownership laws

In 2024, changes were made to the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (PDF, 1.4 MB) (AMCDA) due to a rise in complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks, and the large number of dog-attack victims admitted to hospital each year in Queensland.

From 31 July 2024:

  • if you do not keep a dog under effective control when in a public place, there is an on-the-spot fine of $863
  • the most serious dog attack offences have increased penalties of up to $120,890, including the option of imprisonment for up to 3 years where a person encourages a dog to attack that results in death or grievous bodily harm to a person.

From 28 August 2024:

  • local governments can determine when an authorised person must or may make a destruction order for a dog
  • an authorised person is a council employee who has the power to investigate, monitor and enforce any part of the AMCDA
  • 5 dog breeds are prohibited from being owned:
    • Dogo Argentino
    • Fila Brasileiro
    • Japanese Tosa
    • American pit bull terrier / pit bull terrier
    • Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canari.

A person must not own or be responsible for a prohibited breed unless they have a reasonable excuse.

A person must not supply a prohibited dog to another person or give or take possession of a prohibited dog for the purposes of allowing it to breed with another dog.

If you own a regulated dog, you should be aware of different requirements for owning a regulated dog.

Effective control of a dog

A person who is responsible for a dog has effective control if:

  • the person is physically able to control the dog
  • the person is holding the dog using a leash, lead or other restraining device
  • the dog is securely tethered to a fixed object and under constant supervision
  • the dog is kept in an appropriate temporary enclosure that contains the dog's movement and is under the continuous supervision of the person
  • the dog is being confined or tethered in, or on, a vehicle in a way that prevents the dog moving any part of its body beyond the vehicle
  • the dog is under your continuous supervision and control using voice command when
    • in an off-leash area
    • participating in, or being exhibited or trained at, an exhibition, race meeting, race trial or obedience trial supervised by a body that is recognised by the
      • state government as appropriate to supervise the event and is published on a Queensland Government website
      • local government where the event is held, as appropriate to supervise the event and is published on the local government website
    • acting as a working dog, a dog working for a government organisation or a security patrol dog.

Breeding dogs

If your dog becomes pregnant or has a litter, you must meet Queensland's animal welfare standards for breeding dogs and their litter.

Within 28 days of the litter being born, you must register as a dog breeder unless you qualify for an exemption.

If you are an owner of a dog that's been declared dangerous, you must not use it for the purposes of breeding nor allow or encourage it to breed with another dog.

More information

Last updated:
3 September 2026