Aussies are being hit with ‘eye-watering’ fines for not keeping their pet on a leash or maintaining proper leash control, under a new state crackdown.
Several Gold Coast residents have taken to A Current Affair to share their stories of the hefty fines imposed under the regulations.
Under new pet ownership laws that came into effect on July 31, there is an on-the-spot fine of $806 if residents fail to keep their dog under effective control in a public place, with further fines of up to $112,910 for more serious cases. dog attack offenses and a prison sentence of up to three years.
“Changes have been made to the AMCDA due to an increase in complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks, and the large number of dog attack victims admitted to hospital in Queensland each year,” the Queensland government said in an online declaration.
Although the laws are state-based, it is up to the discretion of individual municipalities to enforce the fines.
Pensioner John lives a few minutes away from Budds Beach, a small stretch of sand on the canal at Surfers Paradise.
He was recently fined $806 for “failing to effectively control an unregulated dog in a public place” after walking his dog an estimated 30 feet from his van to the water where the pair were kayaking.
Pensioner John (pictured) was fined $806 for taking his dog off leash to the beach
“I thought it was very unfair because I was just traveling from my van to the water,” John said. ‘If I didn’t pay it within 28 days I would be charged extra.’
Further along Budds Beach, there are signs stating that dogs must be on a leash at all times and that residents must pick up after their dogs.
“I didn’t wander on footpaths or public areas, I just traveled from the car to the water, I didn’t think I had done anything wrong,” John said.
The pensioner said he will go without items for Christmas because of the fine.
The City of Gold Coast has fined two different dog owners for failing to secure their pets (pictured is a sign warning dog owners of the fine)
A second Queensland resident has also been fined under the same laws after trampling her dog during a coffee break.
“It’s wrong, we’re trying to survive and it’s another stress that I didn’t need,” said the fashion boutique owner.
“She had a leash and collar on and was behaving appropriately,” she said.