Sunshine Coast Council fines dog owner $800 under new effective control laws

A Sunshine Coast woman has been fined more than $800 for failing to hold her dog's lead correctly while sitting outside sipping a coffee.

Small business owner Robyn Watkins and her Australian cattle dog Violet were in an outdoor area on Bryce Street, Moffat Beach, when they were spotted by Sunshine Coast Council staff.

Violet was on a lead, and Ms Watkins was holding the lead under her foot.

She said the staff told her it was “not a responsible way to hold your dog,” and that she would receive a “warning”.

A few days later, an $806 infringement notice arrived in the mail.

Fines more than double

Sunshine Coast Council has issued six infringement notices since the Queensland government introduced tougher penalties for off-leash dogs that are not under effective control.

Under the new Queensland-wide definition of “effective control”, introduced on July 31, a person is considered to have effective control of a dog if they are physically capable of controlling the dog and are holding it by a leash, lead, or other restraining device.

On-the-spot fines more than doubled in July from $322 to $806 for owners who failed to control their dogs in a public place, including in off-leash areas where they must be able to control their animals using voice commands.

The change was part of a broader effort to reduce dog attacks and improve community safety.

But some have labelled the fine amount as “excessive”.

A council spokesperson said staff were “focused on responsible pet education” and had issued 42 cautions for the offence.

They declined to comment on Ms Watkins's case, except to say staff were “taking community concerns seriously” and were “available to meet with the customer to discuss their concerns and explain the reasoning behind our actions”.

“Council has undertaken an extensive community education campaign, including an education-first approach, prior to issuing a fine, to make dog owners aware of their responsibilities under the new law,” the spokesperson said.

Ms Watkins said she was “totally unaware” of the penalty prior to being fined, and has contacted the mayor and a local MP.

“We need total, clear clarification of what actually is the law.

“Everybody thinks they're being responsible because their dogs are secure.

“If it's legislation and it is law, we need to see that exactly in place … because people are just not aware.”

Attacks rise

Sunshine Coast Council reported a 10 per cent increase in the number of dog attacks in the region in the 12 months to July 2024.

There were 382 attacks reported in the 2023–24 financial year, of which 166 were dogs attacking humans and 216 were dogs attacking dogs or other animals. 

Twenty of the attacks were brought before court, with the council successful in every case.

When the laws were changed, a council spokesperson said new signage would be erected in “high traffic areas” to alert dog owners.

“Officers will undertake a community-based education program as part of their regular patrols,” the spokesperson said.

“This will be followed by a caution period.”

The council urged owners to remember their responsibilities, including locking their gates, restraining their dogs and walking them on a lead. 

Responsible ownership

Sunshine Coast vet Danielle Huston said she expected the new laws to be controversial. 

“[But] we do need to be responsible for our pets' behaviour,” she said.

Dr Huston said attacks were often sparked when an exuberant dog ran up and got “right in the face of the other one”.

She said it was important to pay attention to dogs' body language for warnings, such as lip-licking or looking sideways.

“Obviously if they start growling or snarling, that's a big red flag,” she said.

“But we've normally missed a few things before that.”

The council says it will continue to partner with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to enforce the new regulations.