The ACT Government is committed to upholding animal welfare standards and protecting animals from cruelty and mistreatment.

The draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT outlines mandatory standards that must be met by all dog owners, and anyone in charge of a dog in the ACT. It also provides guidelines on how these mandatory standards should be met.

The draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT now also encompasses working dogs (including farm dogs and security/guard dogs).

The code encourages all those responsible for the welfare of dogs in the ACT to adopt the highest standards of care, handling, husbandry, and to equal or exceed the minimum standards.

The overall objectives are to ensure dogs in the ACT are:

• provided with care that maximises their health and wellbeing
• protected from pain, distress, danger, illness, and injury.

The draft code is underpinned by an updated animal welfare framework that recognises:

• animals are sentient beings who can feel and perceive the world around them
• animals have intrinsic value and deserve to be treated with compassion and have a quality of life that reflects their intrinsic value
• people have a duty to care for the physical and mental welfare of animals.

The draft code was prepared following a review of the current code, with guidance from the ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committee which provides advice to the ACT Government on animal welfare policies and priorities.

Proposed changes include:

• ensuring the code is consistent with current legislation including the Animal Welfare Act 1992 and Domestic Animals Act 2000
• introducing a new animal welfare framework which recognises dogs as sentient beings who can feel and perceive the world around them
• introducing new mandatory animal welfare standards such as restricting surgical debarking
• applying the code to all dogs in the ACT, including working dogs and assistance animals who are currently not covered by the code
• introducing new standards and guidelines for tethering working dogs to protect their health and safety
• expanding guidelines for dog owners and carers, such as requiring all dogs to have a minimum of 3 hours of human contact daily and prohibiting the use of retractable leads.

We are currently seeking feedback from key stakeholders, dog owners (including working dogs) and the wider community to ensure the updated standards and guidelines in the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT meet evolving community expectations.

Please note, the mandatory standards in the draft code of practice that are based in legislation can’t be changed as a result of feedback. For example, the requirement to register, microchip and desex a dog. Further information on the updated standards and guidelines is provided below. Survey questions focus on key areas that stakeholder feedback can influence.

To learn more and have your say:

• read the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT
• complete the survey
• email a submission to communityengagement@act.gov.au.

Consultation closes Friday 22 August 2025.

There are minimum mandatory standards in the Code of Practice that must be met by anyone in charge of a dog to ensure the appropriate care and welfare of dogs in the ACT.

Penalties may apply under the Animal Welfare Act 1992 for not meeting these mandatory standards.

Mandatory standards that must be met under the code include:

• all dogs 12 weeks of age or older must be microchipped*
• all dogs over the age of six months must be desexed by a registered vet unless you have an approved permit from the Registrar of Domestic Animal Services*
• dogs must not be able to freely roam outside their owner’s property, they must be securely confined within the property boundary when at home or when visiting another home
• dogs must always be on a lead except when in a designated off-leash area*
• a dog with a history of aggression toward people or other dogs must not be taken to an off-leash area*
• in off-leash areas, the person in charge of the dog must:
  • have the dog under effective control at all times
  • monitor the dog’s behaviour
  • remove the dog if it shows signs of aggression or anxiety
• dog collars must not cause a dog pain or discomfort, and prong collars must not be used*
• a person must not keep more than 3 dogs at a residential premises in the ACT unless they have a license to keep multiple dogs*
• debarking surgical procedures must not be considered as a bark reduction strategy nor a substitute for proper care, management, enrichment, or training of a dog
• sufficient fresh and clean drinking water must always be available to a dog
• a person in charge of a dog must ensure the dog in their care is provided with:
  • human contact for a reasonable length of time each day (3 hours minimum)
  • adequate exercise for the age, size and breed of the dog
  • clean and dry bedding
  • adequate shade, shelter, and protection from extreme weather conditions, day and night
• the person in charge of a dog must monitor their health and seek treatment if the animal is unwell
• dogs must not be left unattended in a parked car in warm weather or in a container that is exposed to direct sunlight*
• dogs must be secured in a vehicle by a harness or a secure, suitable container to limit the dogs’ movement*
• a licence is required to breed dogs and puppies must not be removed from their mother earlier than 8 weeks of age
• if a dog owner is unable to care for their dog any longer, they must make every effort to find their dog a new owner either privately or through a rehoming organisation
• dogs must not be encouraged or trained to fight with other dogs and any owner who encourages their dog to fight will have the dog removed from their care*.

* Note: These mandatory standards as established under higher legislation and are not subject to modification.

For further information about mandatory minimum standards, please see the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT.

There are a wide range of recommended guidelines in the Code of Practice that complement the mandatory minimum standards to achieve desirable animal welfare outcomes for dogs in the ACT.

Guidelines that should be met under the code include:

• dogs should not be bred unless there is a reasonable expectation of finding suitable homes for each puppy
• young children under the age of ten should never be left alone with a dog without adult supervision
• only dogs of compatible temperament should be housed together to minimise aggressive behaviour
• dog collars should not be too restrictive or too loose, as a guide only 1-2 adult human fingers should be able to be placed between the collar and the dog’s skin
• retractable leashes should not be used as they may result in injury
• dogs should be trained using positive reinforcement techniques because these are the most effective
• access to clean drinking water should be monitored at a minimum twice daily, supplying fresh water on each occasion
• small companion animals such as birds, cats, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals should have a safe and separate area where the dog cannot see or harass them
• kennels should suit the size of the dog and allow the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down
• bedding should be clean and changed weekly or when it is wet or soiled
• dog faeces should be removed from the dog’s enclosure / yard daily
• dogs should get daily exercise that is suitable to the age and breed of the dog
• effective internal and external parasite control programs using appropriate medications should be carried out according to registered veterinarian advice
• a person rehoming an animal should provide the new owner with relevant information on the care of the animal rehomed.

For further information about guidelines, please see the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT.

It is proposed that all standards and guidelines in the updated code of practice apply to all dogs in the ACT, including working dogs who are not covered by the current code.

The draft code also introduces mandatory standards and guidelines for tethering that would apply to all working dogs in the ACT to protect their health and safety.

We are seeking feedback on the proposed changes from rural lessees, security companies, and other businesses who would be impacted by these changes to ensure they are workable.

Summary of proposed tethering standards and guidelines

• Dogs must not be tethered for long periods (more than 2 hours) or tethered as a long term means of confinement.
• Where dogs are tethered for short periods of time, they must be provided a comfortable resting area, access to water of a suitable quality, shade and shelter appropriate to weather conditions, opportunities for mental stimulation, and food as appropriate.
• Tethered dogs require adequate supervision and must be inspected regularly
• Puppies under 3 months of age and bitches about to give birth must never be tethered, and bitches in season must not be tethered where entire males may have access.
• While tethering is not recommended under the code of practice, where it is unavoidable a number of safety guidelines apply, for example dogs should not be tethered adjacent to a fence or other obstacle in a manner that places them at danger of death by hanging and dogs should not be tied closely together unless they are under very close supervision.
• Dogs must not be allowed to run alongside a motorised road vehicle at any time.
• Security dogs are considered guard dogs and as such declared as ‘dangerous dogs’ under section 22 1(a) of the Domestic Animals Act 2000, therefore the Dangerous Dogs Section of this Code applies (Section 11).

For further information about tethering dogs and other minimum standards and guidelines that apply to working farm dogs, please see the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT.

Community feedback will help shape the final code of practice which the ACT Government expects to release in early 2026.

Once finalised, the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the ACT will replace the 2010 Code of Practice. It will apply to all dog owners and anyone in charge of a dog in the ACT.