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Register restricted breed dogs

You can register a restricted breed dog in Victoria in accordance with the Domestic Animals Amendment (Restricted Breed Dogs) Act 2017.

This is subject to specific conditions that may include:

  • your dog being desexed
  • your dog is implanted with a prescribed identification device
  • Council has been informed of dog’s restricted breed.

If you need to meet additional conditions for the registration or renewal of registration, we'll contact you when we process your application.

Restricted breed dogs are considered a higher risk to community safety than other breeds of dogs, so we ask pet owners to meet additional conditions.

Falsifying information

If you falsely state your dog’s breed when registering it with Council, and it is a restricted breed, this is an offence and will incur up to 10 penalty units ($1,000) and further enforcement action may apply.

Dog breeds that are restricted 

Restricted breed dogs are pure or cross-bred that visibly contain any of the following:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
  • Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario)
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Fila Brasileiro.

This definition is based on the Act that restricted breed dogs fit the Approved Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria (standard).

Dangerous and menacing dogs

Council can declare a dog to be dangerous or menacing.

A dangerous dog declaration has serious consequences for how these dogs must be housed and looked after. For example, dangerous dogs must be muzzled, on a lead and controlled by a person over the age of 17 at all times in public spaces.

A dog might be declared dangerous if it:

  • has caused serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking
  • is kept as a guard dog or has been trained to attack people or animals
  • is declared a menacing dog and its owner has received at least 2 infringement notices for the dog not being leashed and/or muzzled in a public place
  • has been declared a dangerous dog by another council.

A dog might be declared menacing if it:

  • 'rushes' at a person - this means the dog comes within 3m of the person while displaying aggressive signs such as snarling, growling or raised hackles
  • causes a non-serious bite to a person or animal
  • has been declared a menacing dog by another council.

Report a dangerous or restricted breed dog

If you want to report a suspected unregistered restricted breed dog or a registered restricted breed dog you believe is not being kept according to legal requirements, contact Council for an authorised Council Officer to investigate.

Alternatively, call the Victorian Government hotline on 1300 101 080.

You can also report a dog attack to Council.

More information

You can find more information about dangerous and menacing dogs and restricted breed dogs and the related laws and penalties on the Agriculture Victoria website.