A dog control area is a specific area or place under the management of local government where special conditions or rules are applicable to dog owners. Dog control areas are shown on the map provided on this page and include areas where dogs are prohibited at all times, prohibited only at specific times, or allowed off leash for exercise all or some of the time. Please view the current dog control areas shown on the map provided on this page. These areas are being reviewed. Community input about the adequacy of these areas will be considered by council in making decisions about any suggested changes, or potential additions to the current control areas.

Refer to the dog exercise areas map HERE or view the list of areas by suburb via the Document Library on this page to view these areas.

There are some dog control areas where dogs are prohibited at all times and some areas where dogs are prohibited at specific times. Please refer to the orange and red areas (as per legend below) on the map provided on this page to find off-leash and other specified control areas.

John Banks Memorial Dog Park offers an enclosed area for dog exercise. Upgrades to the park in 2024 will see the creation of an additional enclosed, small dog, exercise area.  Both enclosed areas will have water access for pooches, accessible entry gates and seating/shelter installed. 

There are some dog control areas where dogs are permitted to be exercised off leash. Please refer to the map provided to find off-leash and other specified control areas. Check for signage in the area. Signs will be installed in areas where dogs are permitted off-leash or dogs are prohibited. No signs means the dog(s) must be on-leash. If you are not sure, we recommend you keep your dog(s) on a leash at all times.

Please remember you must still have effective control at all times. This means:

• Your dog must be in sight at all times.
• Your dog must respond when called.
• Your dog must be able to hear you at all times.
• Your dog does not rush anyone who doesn’t want the attention from your pet.

A dog rushing up and jumping on someone else could constitute a minor dog attack. It is essential that you control your pet and ensure it isn’t giving other area users any unwanted attention.

The City is responsible for the provision of access to public places within the City of Bunbury for dog owners plus reasonable access for all community members where unwanted attention from dogs can be managed.  The last review was completed in 2019 where changes were made to current exercise areas and an additional location was introduced.

The current review has been triggered by:

• Requirements of the Dog Act 1976;
• Increases in dog ownership in the past few years;
• Community concerns, and;
• In response to advice from DBCA regarding preservation of protected bird species.

Engaging with users of the dog control areas and other dog exercise locations will help to implement appropriate and positive changes.

Yes, dogs must have a collar with their current registration tag attached. It is also recommended you attach a sturdy name tag with two contact phone numbers as this will help members of the public and Rangers to return your dog if it becomes lost.

Replacement registration tags can be arranged at the City of Bunbury for a small fee.

The Dog Act 1976 requires that all dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with your local government.

There are strong penalties for people who choose not to comply with these requirements.

The City of Bunbury has a great Regional Animal Facility (RAF) that we use to impound animals. However, if we find your pet out wandering and it is registered and microchipped, we will always try to get it home first before we consider impounding.

Reduced cost of pet registration is available for concession holders and for sterilised pets (proof of these and microchip must be presented to be eligible).

Register Your Dog Here * Microchipping must occur prior to registration and a registered owner must be aged 18+.

The City local law doesn’t permit having more than two dogs without a permit  Responsible Pet Ownership - City of Bunbury 

• Your dog must be in sight at all times.

• Your dog must respond when called.

• Your dog must be able to hear you at all times.

• Your dog does not rush anyone who doesn’t want the attention from your pet.

A dog rushing up and jumping on someone else could constitute a minor dog attack. It is essential that you control your pet and ensure it isn’t giving other area users any unwanted attention.

If you are not sure, we recommend you keep your dog(s) on a leash at all times.

You must keep your dog on a leash in all public places held by a person who is capable of controlling the dog. There are some dog control areas where dogs are permitted to be exercised off leash. Please refer to the map provided to find off-leash and other specified control areas.

If you are not sure, we recommend you keep your dog(s) on a leash at all times. This will always apply in high traffic pedestrian areas like the City Centre, playgrounds, sports ovals while games are on and anywhere else where there are high volumes of people.

People with assistance dogs trained by the following organisations are automatically granted public access rights under the Dog Act 1976, including access to any building or place open to or used by the public for any purpose, or travel on public transport. 

• Assistance Dogs Australia
• Guide Dogs WA (owned and operated by EverAbility Group Limited)
• Lions Hearing Dogs
• Seeing Eye Dogs Australia
• Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia and affiliated bodies

While many dogs are trained by the organisations listed above, it is also possible for assistance dogs to be trained privately. Public access rights for privately trained assistance dogs may be granted on application to the of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The applicant must be able to demonstrate that there is a need for an assistance dog and that the dog meets the specified training criteria. 

For information on approved assitance dogs please visit the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries: 

Applying for assistance dog approval | DLGSC

Please refer to the map provided to find dog waste bag dispensers - look for the little dog icons

Dogs that have shown a tendency to attack or repeatedly rush, threaten or chase people or animals may be declared dangerous by the Council. Restricted breed dogs, such as Pitbull Terriers, Japanese Tosas and their crossbreeds have the potential to be dangerous and owners of dangerous dogs and/or restricted breeds must ensure the following are complied with:

• Dog is not to be allowed of leash in any public area
• Dogs to wear a special collar
• Dogs to be muzzled in public
• Dogs to be microchipped
• Dogs must be sterilised
• Having a specific warning sign at all entries to your property

As per section 32(1)(e) of the Dog Act 1976, Greyhounds are required to always be kept on a leash in a public place.