Being attacked by a dog is both terrible and terrifying.
In the last two years there have been some 6,800 dog attacks
across 13 Council areas in Queensland, with more than 415 dog
attacks across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa in the past 12
months.
The victims of dog attacks often carry lifelong physical and
psychological scars.
It would be reasonable to believe that if a dog attacks, that
the legal position would be clear and that the person with the
control of the dog would be strictly liable for the injury and loss
suffered from the attack. That is the position in Australia –
except in Queensland.
There is legislation in every other Australian state and
territory which provides that persons with responsibility for dogs
are strictly liable for the consequences of their attacks and for
the damage and loss arising from the injuries suffered in the
attack. It is not necessary to prove that the person with the
responsibility for the offending dog was negligent.
