Animal Infringements

Animal Management Officers are authorised to request your details to investigate breaches under the Domestic Animal Act 1994. This may include dog attacks, off-leash dogs, pet registration and barking dogs. You may be issued with a penalty infringement for these offences.

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Patrols and investigations

Our officers regularly patrol our parks and beaches. Random proactive patrols are conducted in all of our public spaces seven days a week throughout the year. Our officers are there to ensure our public areas are safe and comfortable for everyone to enjoy.

People found doing the wrong thing may be fined. On the spot fines apply for:

dogs off leash in on-leash areas.
failing to carry a bag and pick up after your dog.
failing to wear a Council registration tag.
dogs on prohibited beaches between 1 November to 31 March.
other breaches of the Community Amenity Local Law 2023 or Domestic Animals Act 1994.

We also investigate breaches of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and Community Amenity Local Law 2023 that are reported to us, and take appropriate enforcement action if we can prove an offence has occurred.

This can apply to:

dog attacks and rushes.
barking dogs.
dogs not under effective control.
cats roaming during curfew hours.
trespassing cats.
other breaches of the Community Amenity Local Law 2023 or Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Our authorised officers are there to keep you safe. We will always treat you with courtesy and respect. Remember, you must always cooperate with our authorised officers and treat them with the same courtesy. Under Section 76(1) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, authorised officers can request your full name and address and that you produce your dog for microchip scanning. Failing to provide these details is an offence.

Under Section 76(3A) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, a person must not threaten, abuse or intimidate or attempt to threaten, abuse or intimidate, an authorised officer, or a person assisting an authorised officer, in the discharge of the authorised officer's powers, duties or functions under this Act.

What happens if I am reported?

If your details are taken by one of our Animal Management Officers, it means they have observed an offence. Officers will collect your details and they may issue a fine.

Our officers will also follow up the registration of your pet. If you live within City of Port Phillip, and your pet is unregistered, you will be required to register your pet within 14 days of speaking with the officer. If you do not live within City of Port Phillip, your details will be passed onto your local Council to investigate per their processes. It is recommended you proactively register your pet immediately once you speak with our officers.

The enforcement process

Infringements will always be issued to you by mail and can be the result of an interaction with an officer, or an investigation. If you do not understand the infringement you can contact Council. There are different stages to the enforcement process. If you receive a notice from us, it is important to read it carefully and take the requested action before the due date. We're here to help, so please speak to the investigating officer if you need assistance with doing what's been asked.

Notice to comply

When our officers become aware of an offence we may issue a notice requiring the breach is rectified within a certain period of time. It is important to rectify the breach before the due date or an infringement may be issued.

Infringement

An infringement notice may be issued in relation to an alleged offence. To avoid added fees, you should pay the amount owing or take one of the options outlined on the front of your notice by the due date.

Penalty Reminder

If an infringement is not paid by the due date, a penalty reminder notice may be issued. If you do not pay the amount outstanding, or take one of the options outlined on the front of the notice by the due date, further enforcement action may be taken and additional fees may be added.

Referral to Court

If the infringement is unpaid (including added fees), or other options haven't been taken to finalise the matter, Council may elect to withdraw the infringement and prosecute the offence in Court. At this stage Council would seek to recover any related costs incurred, and additional charges for related offences may be added.

Enforcement warrant

If the infringement is unpaid (including added fees), or other options haven't been taken to finalise the matter, Council may elect to refer the matter to Fines Victoria. This can lead to an enforcement warrant. If an enforcement warrant is issued, an enforcement warrant fee may be added to your outstanding amount, and the Sheriff has additional powers to recover the outstanding amount.

Your options to manage an infringement

Pay the fine

Pay the full amount by the due date.

Pay online

Ask for more time to pay

Apply for more time to pay or to set up a payment plan.

Apply online

Referral to Fines Victoria

Request the infringement is referred to Fines Victoria to manage as part of an existing payment arrangement.

Apply online

Request an internal review

You can request an internal review by Council. You or a person acting for you can make the request. You can only make one request for an internal review for an infringement. This follows the Infringements Act 2006. All appeals must be under one of the below "Grounds to appeal an infringement" to be considered by the Appeals Panel.

Please note it is an offence under Section 167 of the Infringements Act 2006 to provide false information in an application for internal review, and if you provide false information you may be prosecuted. By submitting an application for internal review, you declare that the information you have supplied is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Please note that all interactions with the public are recorded on body worn cameras and this footage is reviewed by the Appeals Panel.

Request online using My Port Phillip, or download and email the request form.

Request a review Download the form

If you have received a parking infringement, refer to parking fines for details on how to contest a parking infringement. This page is for Animal infringements only.

Please consider the options carefully to ensure the appeal meets the criteria, and please note only one appeal may be submitted. Supporting documentation must be attached.

Special circumstances includes:
- a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness
- serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or volatile substance
- homelessness
- family violence within the meaning of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
  You must provide evidence, such as a letter, report or statement, from one of the following parties to support your application:
Evidence from a practitioner or case worker should include the following information:
- practitioner or case worker's qualification and relationship with you, including the period of engagement
- nature, severity and duration of your condition or your circumstances:
An application made on the ground of 'person unaware' must:
- be made within 14 days of you becoming aware of the infringement notice. You can evidence the date that you became aware of the infringement notice by executing a statutory declaration
- state the grounds on which the decision should be reviewed
- provide your current address for service.

Proceed to court

You can elect to have the matter heard and determined in a court at anytime before an enforcement order is made. If the person fined is a child, the matter will be heard in the Children's Court. If you choose to have your matter determined in court, you must immediately notify the Animal Management Team at pets@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Contact us

Our Animal Management team is here to help. Get in touch if you have questions or would like a print version of any files.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip.

Phone: 03 9209 6777

Email: pets@portphillip.vic.gov.au