Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025

At a Glance

  • The City is proposing updates to its Dogs Local Law to clarify dog containment requirements and align penalties with current standards.
  • Changes include a new power to require secure enclosures and changes to the modified penalties for a small number of dog‑related offences.
  • Community members are invited to comment on the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 before Council decides whether to proceed.

Background

At its Ordinary Meeting on 29 April 2025, Council approved the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 for public advertising.

This advertising took place. But before it was returned to Council for final consideration, the City identified that clause 2.3(3) created an offence but no corresponding penalty. This was discussed with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, who advised that adding it would be a material change that would require Council endorsement and readvertising.

At its meeting on 28 April 2026, Council approved the insertion of a $200 modified penalty for clause 2.3(3) into Schedule 3 and resolved to readvertise the amended draft local law for public comment.

The community is now invited to have its say on the proposed changes.

What changes are being proposed?

The draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 proposes the following key changes to the City of Bayswater Dogs Local Law 2016:

Removing Part 2 – Impounding of dogs
Impounding provisions are already comprehensively dealt with under the Dog Act 1976 and are not included in most other local government dog local laws.

Inserting a new clause 2.3 – Direction to provide a suitable enclosure
This clause allows authorised officers to direct a dog owner to provide a suitable enclosure where a dog is not being adequately contained. It is consistent with similar provisions in other local governments’ dog local laws and is intended to support the safety and welfare of both dogs and the community.

Updating Schedule 3 – Offences in respect of which a modified penalty applies
The draft proposes to:

  • Increase the modified penalty for clause 3.9 “Failing to comply with the conditions of a licence” from $200 to $250.
  • Increase the modified penalty for clause 4.1(2) “Dogs excreting in prohibited place” from $100 to $150.
  • Introduce a modified penalty of $200 for clause 2.1 “Failure to provide effective means to contain dog.”
  • Introduce a modified penalty of $200 for clause 2.3(3) “Failure to comply with a direction to provide a suitable enclosure.”
  • Remove the reference to penalties related to a “dangerous dog”, as penalties for dangerous dogs are dealt with under the Dog Act 1976 and no longer need to be duplicated in the local law.

How to have your say

There are several ways to have your say. You can:

  • Use the online comment form on this page, which asks for your comment on each of the changes proposed in the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025
  • Type your submission and upload it through the submission form on this page
  • Mail your submission to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Bayswater, PO Box 467, Morley, WA 6943, or
  • Email your submission to the Chief Executive Officer at mail@bayswater.wa.gov.au.

Please note submissions close on Friday, 17 July 2026.

At a Glance

  • The City is proposing updates to its Dogs Local Law to clarify dog containment requirements and align penalties with current standards.
  • Changes include a new power to require secure enclosures and changes to the modified penalties for a small number of dog‑related offences.
  • Community members are invited to comment on the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 before Council decides whether to proceed.

Background

At its Ordinary Meeting on 29 April 2025, Council approved the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 for public advertising.

This advertising took place. But before it was returned to Council for final consideration, the City identified that clause 2.3(3) created an offence but no corresponding penalty. This was discussed with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, who advised that adding it would be a material change that would require Council endorsement and readvertising.

At its meeting on 28 April 2026, Council approved the insertion of a $200 modified penalty for clause 2.3(3) into Schedule 3 and resolved to readvertise the amended draft local law for public comment.

The community is now invited to have its say on the proposed changes.

What changes are being proposed?

The draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025 proposes the following key changes to the City of Bayswater Dogs Local Law 2016:

Removing Part 2 – Impounding of dogs
Impounding provisions are already comprehensively dealt with under the Dog Act 1976 and are not included in most other local government dog local laws.

Inserting a new clause 2.3 – Direction to provide a suitable enclosure
This clause allows authorised officers to direct a dog owner to provide a suitable enclosure where a dog is not being adequately contained. It is consistent with similar provisions in other local governments’ dog local laws and is intended to support the safety and welfare of both dogs and the community.

Updating Schedule 3 – Offences in respect of which a modified penalty applies
The draft proposes to:

  • Increase the modified penalty for clause 3.9 “Failing to comply with the conditions of a licence” from $200 to $250.
  • Increase the modified penalty for clause 4.1(2) “Dogs excreting in prohibited place” from $100 to $150.
  • Introduce a modified penalty of $200 for clause 2.1 “Failure to provide effective means to contain dog.”
  • Introduce a modified penalty of $200 for clause 2.3(3) “Failure to comply with a direction to provide a suitable enclosure.”
  • Remove the reference to penalties related to a “dangerous dog”, as penalties for dangerous dogs are dealt with under the Dog Act 1976 and no longer need to be duplicated in the local law.

How to have your say

There are several ways to have your say. You can:

  • Use the online comment form on this page, which asks for your comment on each of the changes proposed in the draft Dogs Amendment Local Law 2025
  • Type your submission and upload it through the submission form on this page
  • Mail your submission to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Bayswater, PO Box 467, Morley, WA 6943, or
  • Email your submission to the Chief Executive Officer at mail@bayswater.wa.gov.au.

Please note submissions close on Friday, 17 July 2026.

Page last updated: 21 May 2026, 10:22 AM