16Offences where dog attacks person or animal

16 Offences where dog attacks person or animal

16 Offences where dog attacks person or animal

(1) If a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal—

(a) the owner of the dog, or

(b) if the owner is not present at the time of the offence and another person who is of or above the age of 16 years is in charge of the dog at that time—that other person,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—

(a) 100 penalty units except in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog, or

(b) 400 penalty units in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog.

(1AA) If a dog (other than a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog) rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal—

(a) the owner of the dog is guilty of an offence if the incident occurs as a result of a reckless act or omission by the owner, or

(b) if the owner is not present at the time of the incident and another person who is of or above the age of 16 years is in charge of the dog at that time—that other person is guilty of an offence if the incident occurs as a result of a reckless act or omission by that other person.

Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

(1AB) If a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal—

(a) the owner of the dog is guilty of an offence if the incident occurs as a result of a reckless act or omission by the owner, or

(b) if the owner is not present at the time of the incident and another person who is of or above the age of 16 years is in charge of the dog at that time—that other person is guilty of an offence if the incident occurs as a result of a reckless act or omission by that other person.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units or imprisonment for 4 years, or both.

(1A) The owner of a dangerous dog, a menacing dog or a restricted dog is guilty of an offence if—