Australians are being hit with huge fines for not keeping a pet on a leash or failing to properly maintain leash control, under a new state crackdown.
Several Gold Coast residents have taken to A Current Affair to share their stories about the large fines imposed under the regulations.
Under new pet ownership laws that went into effect July 31, if residents fail to keep a dog under effective control when in a public place, they will face an immediate fine of $806, with additional fines of up to $112,910 for more serious cases. dog attack crimes, as well as up to three years in prison.
“Changes were 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 each year in Queensland,” the Queensland government said in a statement in line.
While laws are state-based, it is at the discretion of individual councils to enforce fines.
Retired John lives just minutes from Budds Beach, a small stretch of sand on the Surfers Paradise channel.
He was recently fined $806 for “failing to exercise effective control of an unregulated dog in a public place” after walking his dog about 10 meters from his truck to the water where the couple was kayaking.
Retiree John (pictured) was hit with a huge $806 fine for taking his dog to the beach without a lead.
“I thought it was very unfair since I was only traveling from my truck to the water,” John said. “If I don’t pay it in 28 days, they will charge me more.”
There are signs further up Budds Beach saying that dogs must be leashed at all times and that residents must pick up after their dogs.
“I wasn’t wandering on trails or public areas, I was just traveling from the car to the water, I didn’t think I had done anything wrong,” John said.
The retiree said he will be left without things during Christmas because of the fine.
The City of Gold Coast has fined two different dog owners for failing to protect their pets (pictured, a sign warning dog owners of the fine)
A second Queensland resident was also fined under the same laws after keeping her dog on a leash under her foot during a coffee break.
“It’s bad, we’re trying to survive and it’s another stress that I didn’t need,” said the fashion boutique owner.
“She was on a leash and collar and was behaving properly,” he said.