Media response – Dog attacks

Published on 18 April 2023

Approach from Herald Sun

I am writing a story about the number of dog attacks by municipality and would like to receive the number of these types of incidents reported in the Monash LGA.

Response

How many dog attacks (including rushings) have been reported in Monash between April 2022 and the date of this request?

153 dog attacks reported since April 2022.

20 rush only attacks since we started collected this data in November 2022.

How many dog attacks were prosecuted in court this year?

We have initiated 3 prosecution proceedings this year.

What are the most common places dog attacks are reported? (e.g. public parks, streets)

Parks and streets (generally outside of the dog owner’s property).

What are the most common causes for dog attacks?

Owners not having effective control of their dogs or effective confinement of dogs on their property.

Anything else the council would like to add on this issue

Council officers conduct regular proactive park patrols as part of our approach to educate dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership, and we are also making changes to our dog-off leash areas following extensive community consultation last year.

Issued: 13 April 2023

To: Herald Sun

Quoting: Mayor Tina Samardzija