Advocacy by the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) has helped to secure stronger dog management and enforcement laws across the state.
Reforms have been passed by the State parliament under the Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill 2024.
Puppy farm ban and breeder licensing
The new legislation bans large-scale puppy farms, establishes a robust breeder licensing regime with criminal background checks, litter reporting, and penalties of up to $10,000 for unlicensed breeding.
LGASA is particularly pleased that councils will not be responsible for enforcing these breeder regulations or paying for their administration. Enforcement is now centred with the Dog and Cat Management Board, Department for Environment and Water, and RSPCA, funded by increased breeder registration fee revenue.
This reflects direct outcomes of LGASA’s submission process, and ongoing advocacy, which opposed the extension of council responsibilities to include animal welfare issues.
This ensures local councils can focus on core community services, without extra resourcing burdens.
Enhanced dog management and enforcement powers
The legislation also delivers substantial enhancements to dog management laws, including:
- Higher maximum penalties, up to $25,000 for serious dog attacks, rising to $50,000 if the dog was previously declared dangerous, and up to $100,000 (or four years’ jail) if an owner encouraged the attack
- Greater recognition and enforcement of interstate control orders (for example, dangerous or prohibition orders)
- Expanded council powers to tackle nuisance barking and wandering dogs with control orders and penalties up to $2,500 per offence
LGASA’s advocacy wins
Following consultation with member councils and a formal submission on the draft Bill in July 2024, several of LGASA’s recommendations were accepted, which included:
- More support for council prevention measures
- Ensuring proper enforcement frameworks for wandering dogs and nuisance behaviours to promote community safety, and a formal consultation with councils for breeder enforcement compliance
- Confirmed that criminal defences (such as self-defence) under the Act do not apply to civil control or destruction orders
- Clarifying councils’ authority to act decisively in protecting the community
