25/11/2025
OFF LEASH - DOESN'T MEAN OUT OF CONTROL !
Formal Statement on Off-Leash Areas & Legal Responsibilities (Queensland)
Friendly Reminder About Off-Leash Areas & Owner Responsibilities
Off-leash areas are provided so dogs can exercise and socialise freely, but owners are still legally required to maintain effective control of their dogs at all times. This means supervising your dog, ensuring they come when called, and preventing them from causing nuisance, fear, or harm to other dogs or people.
If another owner requests space, for example, because their dog is anxious, recovering, or on-lead, that request must be respected immediately. Every dog has different needs, and cooperation keeps these areas safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Relevant Queensland Laws
1. Effective Control – Required Everywhere
Under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, dogs must be under effective control in public places.
• Even in an off-leash area, owners must be physically able to control their dog.
• A dog that cannot be recalled or controlled is considered not under effective control.
3. Approaching Other Dogs
The law recognises the owner's responsibility to prevent their dog from intimidating, harassing, or causing fear or harm to people or other animals.
If another owner asks you to call your dog away, failing to do so may breach the requirement of effective control.
5. Penalties
• Councils can issue on-the-spot fines (often hundreds of dollars) for dogs not under effective control.
• Serious incidents, such as attacks or causing injury, carry very high penalties under state law, including large fines and possible prosecution.
6. General Obligations in Off-Leash
Parks
• Supervise your dog at all times.
• Pick up and dispose of dog waste.
• Ensure your dog wears its registration tag.
• Dogs must be leashed again when exiting the off-leash area.
The OP stated she did ask the man several times to call his dogs, he didn’t do so.
Photographs clearly show he had no leash for either dog.
Photos also show he had no p**p bags.
When you enter the off leash areas you agree to abide by rules, the man in question did not seem to do so.
Off leash areas are there for everybody to enjoy, on leash and off.
People need to understand and abide by said rules for the safety of everyone.
Bente's Dog Training
