New South Wales Consolidated Acts

COMPANION ANIMALS ACT 1998 - SECT 17

17 Dog must not be encouraged to attack

(1) A person who sets on or urges a dog (other than a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog) to attack, bite, harass or chase any person or animal (other than vermin) is guilty of an offence, whether or not actual injury is caused.

: Maximum penalty--200 penalty units.

(1A) A person who sets on or urges a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog to attack, bite, harass or chase any person or animal (other than vermin) is guilty of an offence, whether or not actual injury is caused.

: Maximum penalty--700 penalty units or imprisonment for 5 years, or both.

Note : If the dog is a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog, conviction for an offence under this section results in permanent disqualification from owning a dog or from being in charge of a dog in a public place. See section 23.

(2) This section does not apply to something done by a person--

(a) in the reasonable defence of a person or property,

(b) in the proper performance of the person's duties as a police officer or correctional officer (within the meaning of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 ),

(c) in the course of the use of a dog for the working of stock or the training of a dog in the working of stock,

(d) in the course of lawful hunting.