Dog owners in South Australia whose pets attack a person or another animal, and causes serious injury or death, will be fined a maximum of $25,000 under changes to the state’s Dog and Cat Management Act. The new maximum is 10 times the previous maximum of $2500.
In cases where the dog had already been deemed dangerous previously, the fine rises to a maximum of $50,000 and up to $100,000 in cases where the owner deliberately encouraged their dog to attack.
The tough new sanctions are in response to a spate of dog attacks in SA this year, including one on a four-year-old boy and one involving a golden retriever who attacked people on multiple occasions.
What do you think of these new laws? Do you think these fines are fair enough or a bit too far?
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