FAQs

In accordance with section 51 of the Dog Act 1976, local governments can make local laws:

• providing for the registration of dogs;
• specifying areas within which it shall be an offence (unless the excreta are removed) for any person liable for the control of a dog to permit that dog to excrete on any street or public place or on any land without the consent of the occupier;
• requiring that in specific areas a portion of the premises where a dog is kept must be fenced in a manner capable of confining the dog;
• providing for the establishment and maintenance of dog maintenance facilities and other services and facilities necessary or expedient for the purposes of the Dog Act 1976.
• providing for the detention, maintenance care and release or disposal of dogs seized;
• as to the destruction of dogs pursuant to the powers conferred by the Dog Act 1976
• providing for the licencing, regulating, construction, use and inspection of approved kennel establishments.

The Dogs Local Law 2016 promotes responsible dog ownership and provides additional controls and management relating to dogs that are not specified in the Dog Act 1976.

The Dog Act 1976 contains laws relating to:

• Registration of dogs
• Ownership and keeping of dogs 
• The obligations and rights of people in relation to the ownership and keeping of dogs
• incidental and other purposes relating to dogs.

The Dog Act 1976 allows local governments to make local laws pertaining to dogs within districts. The local laws that may be made for a district must not be contrary to the clauses of the Dog Act 1976.

The Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021 was passed by Parliament in December 2021. This reform made changes to the Dog Act 1976 to better regulate the breeding of dogs in Western Australia,

Comprehensive information can be found about the new laws on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries webpage at: Stop Puppy Farming | DLGSC