5Requirements for enclosure for dangerous dog

5 Requirements for enclosure for dangerous dog

(1)  For the purposes of section 32(2)(a) of the Act, an enclosure for housing a dangerous dog must –

(a) be fully enclosed; and

(b) be childproof; and

(c) have a minimum height of 1.8 metres and a minimum width of 1.8 metres; and

(d) have a floor area of at least 10 square metres for each dog in the enclosure; and

(e) have the walls, roof and the door, or gate, made of brick, timber, concrete, iron or mesh, or a combination of these materials, of sufficient strength and durability to prevent the escape of a dog; and

(f) have a sufficient weatherproof sleeping area for each dog in the enclosure; and

(g) have a sealed, graded concrete floor; and

(h) be situated so as not to require a person to pass through it to gain access to other parts of the property on which it is situated; and

(i) if fitted with a door or gate –

(i) be fitted with a self-closing and self-latching mechanism for the door or gate; and

(ii) be locked from the outside when a dog is inside the enclosure; and

(iii) have a clearly legible sign saying "Dangerous Dog" displayed on the door or gate; and

(j) be sufficient to prevent each dog in it from escaping.

(2)  If the walls, roof, door or gate of an enclosure are made of mesh, the mesh must be –

(a) chain mesh of at least 3.15 millimetre gauge, with a maximum spacing of 50 millimetres; or

(b) weldmesh of at least 4 millimetres gauge, with a maximum spacing of 50 millimetres.

(3)  A wall, door or gate of an enclosure may have a gap of not more than 50 millimetres at the top and bottom of the wall, door or gate to provide ventilation and drainage.