Breed-specific Legislation - Australia

(a) American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier,

(b) Japanese tosa,

(c) dogo Argentino,

(d) fila Brasileiro,

(d1) any other dog of a breed, kind or description whose importation into Australia is prohibited by or under the Customs Act 1901 of the Commonwealth,

(e) any dog declared by an authorised officer of a council...to be a restricted dog,

(f) any other dog of a breed, kind or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

Restricted dogs may not be sold, given away, or acquired, and must be spay/neutered. They must be muzzled when in public, wear a special red-and-yellow collar, and may only be handled by a competent adult over the age of 18. The dog must live a secure enclosure when at home, and the owner must post "Warning: Dangerous Dog" signs on their property. The owner must also register the dog with the local government and notify the government if the dog attacks a person or animal, cannot be found, dies, has moved out of the area, or is now living at a different location within the local government's jurisdiction.

A person who owns a "restricted" dog must:

• keep the dog within a child-proof enclosure
• display warning signs at the entrance to the property where the dog is located
• muzzle the dog in public and have it under effective control at all times
• ensure the dog is spay/neutered, wearing a collar and a prescribed tag, and is microchipped.|-

• must muzzle their dogs and ensure they are under effective control by means of physical restraint
• must spay/neuter their dogs
• may not sell or give away their dog, or advertise to sell or give away their dog

• a permit is required for a person to have more than two of a restricted breed;
• escape-proof and child-proof enclosures;
• permanent identification using microchip technology;
• owners must notify their council if the dog escapes, dies or there is a change of ownership;
• in the case of a change of ownership, owners must advise prospective owners that the dog is a restricted breed;
• dogs must be leashed and muzzled when in public places;
• conspicuous "Beware: Restricted Dog" signs must be displayed on property access points; and
• minors are not to own a restricted breed or be in charge of a restricted breed in public places.

• Dogo Argentino (Argentinean mastiff)
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian mastiff)
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier breeds
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
• and any dog of a mixed breed that visibly contains any of these breeds.

All restricted breed dogs must be muzzled, leashed and controlled by an adult who is physically capable of handling the dog, in any environment except prescribed enclosures. Restricted breed dogs are also required to be sterilised unless there are extenuating circumstances relating to the animal’s physical condition or medical treatment. Owners of these breeds are required to display of warning signs where these dogs are kept, meet stringent fencing requirements, notify the local government of changes in the dogs status (moved, died, etc..), and ensure their dogs wear dangerous dog collars.