Dogs and other animals

Contributed by SharonMcTaggart, as amended by KimZindel and current to September 2025

In the NT several sources of law govern the treatment and responsibilities related to dogs and other domestic animals. These include:

• Territory legislation, such as the Animal Protection Act 2018 and the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which set standards for animal care and prohibit cruelty.
• Local council by-laws, which vary by region and may regulate matters such as dog registration, control, and nuisance behaviour.
• Common law, which allows individuals to seek compensation if they are injured or their property is damaged by an animal. This includes strict liability provisions for dog attacks under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, where negligence does not need to be proven.

Further details on legal remedies for injuries or accidents caused by animals are discussed in another section of this book (see Injuries and accidents caused by animals ).

Animal welfare

Animals in the NT are protected by the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) (APA) and the Animal Protection Regulations 2022 (NT). The Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) provides for the welfare of animals with the aim of ensuring that animals are treated humanely without cruelty.

It places obligations on animal owners, making a range of activities illegal (Part 2, Division 1 APA), including:

• Not providing minimum level of care to the animal, like failing to provide adequate and sufficient food, drink, shelter, exercise, treatment for disease or injuries, or not adequately handling or restraining the animal
• generally neglecting, abandoning or being cruel to animals -

The Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) also regulates the way animals can be confined and transported. For example, it is an offence to transport a dog on the tray or trailer of a moving vehicle without it being properly secured against falling off (section 34 APA). There are also some specific provisions regarding the prohibition of certain training techniques like using electric devices (except for exempt devices) (section 30 APA) and spurs (section 31 APA). Organising, hosting and keeping animals for animal fighting is prohibited.

The Animal Protection Act 2018 also regulates the activities of persons who use animals for scientific purposes (Part 4 APA).

Under the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) an 'animal' is defined as a live member of a vertebrate species, including an amphibian, bird, mammal (other than a human being) and reptile. It also includes fish that are dependent on people for food, and crustaceans that are on premises where food is prepared for human consumption, such as a restaurant or take-away outlet - see Section 5 of the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT).

If a person believes that an animal is being mistreated they should contact the Animal Welfare Branch of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries(see Contacts below ). Cruelty complaints can be made over the telephone.

The NT Police are authorised officers under the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT) and can assess and investigate suspected offences under the APA (section 18 APA) and seize animals, issue animal welfare directions, alleviate suffering or even destroy animals if the situation requires such action (Part 5 Division 3 APA).

The prosecution must be commenced within 2 years from the date that the alleged offence occurred - see Section 117 of the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT).

Fines of up to $81,000 or imprisonment for up to five years can be imposed by the court depending on the severity of the offence. plus an additional 10 penalty units for each day the offence continues – section 109 APA. The court can also order that other animals of the offender are seized (section 114 APA) and order the offender to give up all other animals in their care and prohibit them from having any more animals for a specified period - see Section 115 APA. .

A person accused of committing an offence under the APA has a defence if they acted to alleviate the suffering of the animal and was reasonable in the circumstances - Section 111 APA .

Dogs

Local council by-laws

All councils in the NT have by-laws that regulate dogs. A by-law made by a local council only applies to that council area. The by-laws deal with questions around definitions of dog owners, registration of dogs, number of animals that are allowed to be kept, rules about where dogs are allowed to be exercised, dog offences and many more rules.

The following municipalities have specific by-laws regarding dogs and animals, links to their websites and by-laws are provided below

• City of Darwin Council By-Laws 2023 and information on website
• City of Palmerston (Animal Management) By-laws 2024 and website
• Litchfield Council (Dog Management) By-laws 2017 and website
• Alice Springs (Animal Management) By-laws 2008 and website
• Katherine (Town Council) By-laws 1998 and website
• Tiwi Island Regional Council By-laws 2018
• Coomalie (Dog Management) By-laws 2002
• Nhulunbuy (Animal Control) By-laws 1998
• Borroloola Community Government Council (Control of Dogs) By-laws 1992
• Tennant Creek (Control of Dogs) By-laws 1992 and website
• Mataranka Community Government Council (Control of Dogs) By-laws 1992
• West Arnhem Regional Council (Jabiru Town) By-laws 2024
• Wagait Shire Council (Dog Management) By-Laws 2019

Dogs outside these areas are covered by NT legislation and common law. The NT legislation applies in most rural and bush areas. In areas where both NT legislation and by-laws apply, such as in the City of Darwin municipality, the by-laws take precedence.

Specific Questions

Below topics can be covered by the by-laws, but there is further legislation applicable.

Noisy dogs

Every year councils receive a large number of complaints about barking dogs. A person who is being troubled by a noisy dog can take the following steps:

• Contact the local council. Council staff will request a meeting with the owner to discuss the noise problem and provide them with information to assist in correcting any substantiated nuisance barking behaviour. If the noise problem is not solved, conditions can be put on keeping the dog, including requiring the dog to wear a bark correction collar or changing fencing. If owners don't comply with the conditions, the council can cancel registration and order the dog to be removed from the municipality.
• Contact the Community Justice Centre for assistance.
• Apply for a noise abatement order at the Local Court (section 53D of the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT)). This option may be appropriate for someone who is forced to endure continuous barking, as a noise abatement order directs the responsible person to permanently reduce the noise. The court can order them to be quiet or that noise should be reduced at certain times of day. An order for no barking between 9pm and 6am would be an example. Other conditions can also be imposed. For more details on noise abatement orders (see Noise ).

Rural and bush dogs

Dogs in rural and bush areas frequently cause problems by killing wildlife and livestock and chasing vehicles. They also injure themselves and need to be put down. A person who has a problem with a dog, but lives outside a council area, should call police. Police can act on complaints in a number of ways. They may enact sections 53B and 53D of the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT) to deal with consistently barking dogs. Under the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT) police can direct the owner to deal with the noise problem. In certain circumstances police may destroy an injured or diseased animal.

Dangerous dogs

The owner of a dog that attacks or menaces a person or animal is guilty of an offence and faces a maximum penalty of $5000. There are defences available if the owner proves that the person had provoked the dog or if the person or animal was on premises owned by the owner of the dog under certain circumstances.

There is also a maximum penalty of $5000 fine for a person who entices or induces a dog to act in a manner that would render the owner of the dog liable. (section 75A of the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT)).

Destruction of dogs

In urgent circumstances, NT Police Officers can seize or destroy dogs if they believe the dog has or may cause serious injury to a person or animal, and the officers may enter into any land for that purpose (Section 75A(6) of the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT).

The court can order the destruction of any dangerous dog in the NT, not only against those living in local council areas. The order can be issued on its own or included as part of an order made against the owner - Section 75A(5) of the Summary Offences Act 1995 (NT).

The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT) also provides for the destruction of dogs. According to section 34 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT), a dog owner can't take action against a person who destroys a dog if:

• the dog is so diseased or injured that destroying it is humane
• the person destroys the dog according to NT law
• the person destroys the dog on the request of someone who they reasonably believe to be the owner - Section 34 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT).

Authorised animal welfare officers may destroy a dog to alleviate suffering or if the dog is in distress and cannot be reasonably treated (section 91 Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT))

Injuring and killing dogs

A person who kills or injures a dog or any other animal can be sued for compensation by the dog's owner. A court action will generally only be worthwhile if the dog was valuable. Legal advice should be obtained before starting any action.

A person who kills or injures a dog has a defence if the following applies - Section 33 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT):

• the dog was attacking them, someone else or a bird or animal belonging to them, or they had reasonable grounds to believe that it would
• the attack was unprovoked
• they weren't trespassing.

A person who injures or kills a dog on their own property or on land they are permitted to be on will also have a prima facie defence - see Section 33(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT). A prima facie defence means the person has an initial defence, which may be argued against.

It is an offence to steal someone's dog, bird or other animal - Section 54 of the Summary Offences Act 1923 (NT). The maximum penalty is a $200 fine plus the value of the animal stolen.

Other animals

Cats

There are quite a lot of different rules applying to cats in the Council By-laws, so it is best to check on your council’s website. Usually, if there are rules set in the by-laws about cats, cats need to be registered the same as dogs and a lot of similar rules apply.

In Alice Springs, cats need to be registered according to the Alice Springs (Animal Control) By-laws. Furthermore, a person who allows their cat to breed is guilty of an offence if they don't have a cat breeder's licence.The by-laws also restrict the number of cats that can be owned to two. A person who wants to keep more than two has to apply for a special licence from council. This licence is known as a cattery licence .

Livestock

In the NT the control of livestock, which includes horses, pigs, cattle, buffalo, sheep, and even bees, is covered by the Livestock Act 2008 (NT) and the Animal Protection Act 2018 (NT). Information about these laws can be obtained from the Stock Inspector at the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (see Contact points).

It is a criminal offence (attracting a maximum penalty of $200) to 'turn loose' horses, cattle, pigs or goats onto roads or into public places - see Section 75 of the Summary Offences Act 1923 (NT).

There are also some council by-laws dealing with keeping of livestock, so all rules need to be taken into account.

Fish

There are many laws about fishing and keeping fish as pets in aquariums. For further information contact the Fisheries Division of the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources (see Contact points).

Poultry

There are also some council by-laws dealing with keeping of poultry such as limiting the amount birds and minimal requirements with regard to property sizes.

Native animals

All native wildlife in the Northern Territory (NT) is protected and a permit is required to keep protected wildlife in captivity in the NT. Buying, selling or keeping native animals requires a licence from the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission (section 55 Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976). Keeping some non-native animals without permit is also prohibited. Contact the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission for more information (see Contact points).

Contacts

Animal Welfare Branch
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Berrimah Farm Science Precinct
Makagon Road
Berrimah NT 0828
animalwelfare@nt.gov.au

Phone: 1300 720 386