What are the duties of a dog owner?

Dog owners must:

Both the Dog and Cat Management Board and local councils can issue expiation notices or summonses if dog owners do not fulfil these duties. It is a defence to any charge under the Act if the offence was not committed intentionally and did not result from any failure on the part of the person to take reasonable care to avoid committing the offence [Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) s 86].

When a court convicts a person of an offence against the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA), it can also make a variety of orders to stop any danger or nuisance. Depending on the circumstances, the court may order that a dog be destroyed or controlled in a certain way, that the owner may not acquire another dog for a certain period, or that the victim is paid compensation for injury or damage [s 47].

From 17 November 2025, an authorised officer may give directions to a person who owns or is responsible for a dog to ensure they uphold their duties and to prevent or manage certain dog behaviours [s 48].

What are the duties of a dog-sitter?

Apart from registration (unless dog-sitting when the registration expires), a dog-sitter has the same duties as the owner of the dog. This is because the same laws apply to both the owner and the person responsible for the dog.

Dog-sitters should ask the owner whether the dog's registration is up-to-date before agreeing to dog-sit.

Where can dogs lawfully go?

Unless the dog is an accredited assistance dog, any person responsible for the control of a dog commits an offence if the dog is in a shop (not being a pet shop, grooming parlour or vet) without the permission of the shopkeeper [s 45A(3)]. It is also an offence for a dog that is not an accredited assistance dog to be on the grounds of a school, kindergarten, child care centre or preschool without permission [s 45A(2)].