Gympie and Noosa councils have announced education campaigns ahead of increased inspection programs targeting unregistered, uncontrolled dogs.
The programs are enforcing the state government’s 2024 changes to animal management laws which increased penalties and fines for pet owners after a rise in dog attacks.
Across Queensland there were 8500 complaints about negative dog behaviour and dog attacks in 2022, with 2500 of those incidents resulting in victims being hospitalised.
IMAGE: Unsplash
Dog-related public hospital emergency department admissions increased 57 per cent from 2021 to 2022.
In response to the increased dog attacks, fines have increased from $322 to $834 for owners who don’t control their dogs in public places including off-leash areas, where owners must be able to control their pets with voice commands. In fatal attacks, owners face fines of up to $108,000 and potential jail time.
Gympie Regional Council Regulatory Services Officers have begun an Approved Inspection Program across the Gympie region where dog registrations are estimated to be 45 per cent.
Gympie Mayor, Glen Hartwig, said council would educate owners about responsible dog ownership as well as enforcing the new laws.
‘The Inspection Program isn’t just about catching unregistered dogs. It’s about reducing the growing number of dog attacks in our region, most of which involve unregistered animals,’ Mayor Hartwig said.
‘We want to lower the risks to public safety, protect our local wildlife and support a culture of responsible pet ownership across the region.’
IMAGE of dog with registration tag supplied by GRC
‘Gympie Regional Council dog registration fees are amongst the lowest in Queensland. We’re encouraging all dog owners to take advantage of this and ensure their dogs are registered and secure.’
For more information visit Gympie Council’s pages on Dog Ownership  or Dog Registration
Noosa also putting education before enforcement
Over the same three-month period of Sep-Nov 2025, Noosa Council’s Local Laws officers are educating dog owners about off-leash areas and responsible pet ownership.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said council’s approach aimed to ensure local dog owners were well informed of the rules and the significant fines they risked by not being responsible pet owners.
Noosa’s Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager, Clint Irwin, said keeping a dog under effective control was more than just having it on a leash.
‘Effective control of a dog means you must be physically able to hold the dog on the leash and in an off-leash area such as our off-leash beaches, a dog must be under continuous supervision and control using voice commands, so it needs to be well trained,’ Mr Irwin said.
To promote education and compliance, Noosa Council is using All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) patrols and installing new signage at Noosa beaches.
Mayor Frank Wilkie and local laws staff Andrew and Jodie with the ATV and council’s responsible pet ownership mascot ‘Buster’ IMAGE: supplied by Noosa Council
For more information about responsible pet ownership and off-leash dog exercise areas in Noosa, visit Council’s website Noosa Council Animals and Dogs
IMAGE of woman and dog at top of story: Wade Austin Ellis
