A dog doesn't have to bite to cause an injury. Rushing at or chasing someone can also result in serious incidents, and what starts as an excited greeting or playful chase can quickly turn into a frightening experience.

Whitehorse City Council is reminding dog owners that effective control is essential to preventing dog attacks and keeping people and animals safe.

Under Victoria's Domestic Animals Act 1994, dog attacks cover more than bites. Depending on the circumstances, rushing at or chasing a person or animal can also constitute an offence.

A friendly dog running at full speed can knock someone over, injure a child or cause another dog to become frightened or defensive. An owner may know their dog means no harm, but other people don't necessarily know that.

Spring excitement can increase the risk

As the weather warms up and daylight hours increase, more people and their dogs are spending time outdoors.

After a quieter winter, some dogs may have pent-up energy, reduced conditioning and less experience navigating busy public spaces. More people, cyclists, children and other dogs can also mean more distractions and opportunities for unexpected encounters.

Council encourages owners to be particularly mindful of their dog's behaviour during this time.

What does effective control mean?

Whether walking on-lead or visiting one of Whitehorse's 33 designated off-lead areas, owners must maintain effective control of their dogs.

This means:

• Keep your dog in sight: Always know where your dog is and what it is doing.
• Reliable recall: Your dog should return when called, the first time, even when distracted.
• Respect others: Your dog must not rush at, chase or overwhelm other people or animals.
• Recognise warning signs: Watch for overexcitement, excessive barking, chasing or rough play.
• Act early: If your dog isn't responding to recall or is becoming difficult to manage, put it back on its lead.

Unless signage indicates otherwise, all public areas in Whitehorse are on-lead. Owners should always carry a lead, including when visiting designated off-lead areas.

Common misconceptions about dog control

There are a few important things every dog owner should remember:

• 'My dog is friendly.' Friendly dogs can still knock people over, chase other animals or cause injuries. Good intentions don't replace effective control.
• 'We're in an off-lead area.' Off-lead areas are supervised shared spaces, not places where dogs can do whatever they want. Owners remain responsible for their dogs' behaviour.
• 'My dog always comes back eventually.' Reliable recall means your dog responds when called, not when it eventually decides to return.
• 'It's just excitement.' Excitement can quickly escalate, particularly around unfamiliar people, children and other animals. It's important to recognise when your dog needs a break.

What are the consequences of a dog attack?

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, dog attacks and other relevant offences can have serious consequences for the owner or person in charge of the dog.

Depending on the circumstances, matters may be heard in court, with potential penalties including fines, orders to pay compensation and, in serious cases, orders for the destruction of a dog.

Preventing incidents starts with responsible ownership

Most dog-related incidents are preventable. Knowing the rules, practising reliable recall and understanding your dog's behaviour can make a significant difference.

Always carry a lead, keep your dog within sight, give other park users space and don't wait for a situation to escalate before stepping in.

A friendly dog isn't necessarily an under-control dog. Responsible ownership means looking beyond what you know about your own pet and considering the safety and comfort of everyone sharing the space.

Enjoy the warmer weather with your dog, but remember to stay alert, maintain effective control and help keep our community safe.

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