Media Response - Dog attacks in City of Burnside

Published on 27 March 2025

Response to The Advertiser

The journalist asked for responses to the following questions:

1. How many dogs are registered in your LGA?
2. How many dog attacks have been reported in the past three financial years? 
3. What penalties do dog owners face if their dog attacks another animal or person in your LGA?
4. Any other comments?

Comments attributed to Julia Grant, Chief Executive Officer

1) How many dogs are registered in your LGA?

5457

2) How many dog attacks have been reported in the past three financial years?

The Dog and Cat Management Board define a ‘dog attack’ as a bite, chase or aggressive behaviour.

Council reports these occurrences to the Dog and Cat Management Board. Over the past three financial years the instances are:

• 2022/23 - 47
• 2023/24 - 53
• 2024/25 - 50

3) What penalties do dog owners face if their dog attacks another animal or person in your LGA? 

The state’s Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 is clear on various repercussions that extend from control orders, prohibition orders to destruction orders. See this document for the details on the penalties: https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__legislation/lz/c/a/dog%20and%20cat%20management%20act%201995/current/1995.15.auth.pdf

4) Any other comments?

The Dog and Cat Management Board is the best source for all dog and cat related data for all local governments in South Australia.