Strengthening Dangerous Dog Laws in New South Wales

I am calling support to advocate for stronger dangerous dog legislation in New South Wales to better protect families, pets and communities from preventable attacks.

Two days ago, our family experienced the most devastating loss imaginable. Our beloved dog, Bear, was killed after another dog ran from the street onto our property and attacked him. Bear was exactly where he should have been—safe in his own yard. He did not provoke or instigate the attack. He was simply at home.

Bear wasn't just a pet. He was my daughter's best friend, my other dog Bambi's inseparable companion, and a cherished member of our family. His loss has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled.

My mother has been left traumatised after desperately trying to save Bear's life. My daughter has lost her best friend. Our other dog, Bambi, witnessed her companion being mauled to death and has been deeply affected. The emotional impact on our family has been overwhelming.

No family should ever have to experience this.

This tragedy has highlighted what I believe are serious gaps in the way dangerous dogs are managed. When a dog has a documented history of serious aggression or has previously caused the death of another animal, stronger action must be taken before another innocent life is lost.

This petition is not about blaming any breed of dogs or responsible dog owners. Many owners raise well-behaved, loving dogs and take every precaution to keep others safe. This petition is about accountability, prevention, and ensuring that known risks are managed before tragedy occurs.

We are calling for the following reforms:

Stronger Dangerous Dog Laws- 
•Mandatory behavioural assessments for any dog involved in an attack or with known aggressive behaviour.
•Mandatory muzzle requirements whenever a dog with a documented history of aggression is in a public place.
•Mandatory secure containment standards at home to prevent escapes or access to neighbouring properties.
•Regular compliance inspections for declared dangerous dogs.
•Stronger penalties for owners who fail to comply with dangerous dog legislation.
•Improved reporting systems and information sharing so previous attacks are properly recorded and acted upon.

2. Mandatory Owner Education and Training

Owning a dog with known aggressive behaviours carries an increased responsibility.

Owners of dogs declared dangerous or with a documented aggression should be legally required to:

•Complete accredited education on canine behaviour, responsible ownership and risk management.
•Undertake mandatory professional training with their dog.
•Demonstrate they can safely control and manage their dog in public.
•Participate in ongoing behavioural reviews where appropriate.

Education should become a legal requirement—not a voluntary choice—when a dog has demonstrated dangerous behaviour.

3. Stronger Consequences Following Fatal Attacks

Where a dog has caused the death of another animal or inflicted fatal injuries, there should be a mandatory review by the relevant authority.

Where appropriate following that review, and having regard to the circumstances, behavioural history, expert advice and public safety, legislation should provide for euthanasia of dogs responsible for fatal attacks to reduce the risk of future incidents.

The aim is to ensure that serious incidents receive an appropriate response while prioritising community safety.

4. Increased Funding for Local Councils

Stronger legislation cannot succeed without proper enforcement.

The NSW Government should provide dedicated funding to local councils to:

•Employ additional Animal Management Officers and Rangers.
•Conduct routine compliance inspections.
•Enforce muzzle, containment and registration requirements.
•Monitor compliance with mandatory owner education and training.
•Improve investigations into dangerous dog reports.
•Strengthen information sharing between councils and relevant authorities.
•Deliver public education campaigns promoting responsible dog ownership and the safe management of dogs with known behavioural risks.

Local councils should have the resources they need to intervene before another preventable tragedy occurs—not simply respond after one.

Why This Matters:

Responsible dog ownership means recognising when a dog presents a serious risk and taking every reasonable step to protect the community.

If a dog has demonstrated dangerous behaviour, stronger management is essential. Loving a dog does not remove the responsibility to keep other people, pets and families safe.

No family should have to bury a beloved pet because known risks were not managed appropriately.

No child should lose their best friend.

No owner should have to watch helplessly as their pet is attacked in the place they should have been safest—their own home

Bear should still be here.

We cannot change what happened to our family, but together we can help prevent another family from experiencing the same heartbreaking loss.

Our Call to Action:

We want to enlist the support of Central Coast representatives to present our call to change to the legislative council - 

• Mandatory owner education and professional training for owners of dogs with documented aggression.
• Mandatory muzzling and stricter management of dogs with documented aggression when in public.
• Increased funding to local councils to properly enforce dangerous dog laws.
• Stronger reporting, monitoring and compliance requirements.
• Mandatory reviews following fatal attacks, with legislation that provides authorities with clear powers to take appropriate action, including consideration of euthanasia where warranted to protect public safety.
• Stronger support for councils to identify and manage high-risk dogs before further attacks occur.

Every family deserves to feel safe in their own home. Every pet deserves protection. Every preventable tragedy is one too many.

Please stand with us. Help us strengthen dangerous dog laws, improve owner accountability, properly fund enforcement, and prevent another family from experiencing the devastating loss that ours has.

Justice for Bear - Protect Our Pets. Protect Our Families. Prevent the Next Tragedy