Out of more than 5000 dog attacks in 2024, data shows there was a concentration in the Shoalhaven region. Photo: Milan Krasula.
The Shoalhaven area had one of the highest incidence of dog attacks last year, recently released state-wide statistics have found.
According to the latest statistics from the Office of Local Government, there were about 5000 dog attacks across the state in 2024.
The office defines a ‘dog attack’ as an incident where a dog rushes at, attacks (including biting or chasing) or harasses a person or animal other than vermin (whether or not any injury is caused).
The data shows the Shoalhaven placed second of all local government areas in the state, with 265 reported dog attacks in 2024 (behind Blacktown in Western Sydney).
Wollongong City Council recorded a jump to 231 attacks (up from 146 in 2023).
In the Riverina, Wagga Wagga City Council also saw an increase from 102 attacks in 2023, with 146 dog attacks across 2024.
A Shoalhaven Council spokesperson said that of the 125 incidents reported in the last six months of 2024, 15 attacks were considered serious.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy towards substantiated attacks in the Shoalhaven, and fines are issued when offences are proven,” they said.
“Staff also undertake regular training to ensure attacks are dealt with in a thorough and consistent manner, while rangers provide education to dog owners to help stamp out aggressive behaviour of dogs in the Shoalhaven.”
Canberra-based veterinarian Doctor Michael Hayward told Region the vast majority of dog attacks were from dogs known to the victims.
“A very, very large number occur in the home … The dog who rushes up and attacks somebody in the street or attacks another dog in the street are in the minority of actual occurrences,” he said.
“These are perceived to be more frightening episodes, and the family-related ones typically only get any mention when there is a death or really severe injuries that occur.”
Dr Hayward said while there was never a guarantee that a dog was completely safe from attacking, his advice was simple: make sure you know your dog.
Dogs can be triggered by things such as concerns around territory, a perceived loss of attention from their owners or food aggression.
“There are very few dogs who are simply overtly aggressive in all circumstances,” he said.
“In the vast, vast majority of occurrences, there’s a recognisable pattern that’s occurring and a recognisable trigger for the aggression.”
Dr Michael Hayward says any dog can be aggressive, meaning people around them should pay attention to their behaviours (and triggers). Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The data also lists a range of dog breeds as responsible for attacks, with an analysis by Region finding it included the American Staffordshire terrier (941 reported attacks), bull terrier (360), German shepherd (346) and rottweiler (144).
About 1300 attacks did not list an identified breed, while Labrador retrievers accounted for 66 attacks.
Dr Hayward pushed back against breed-based legislation, saying that there were other factors that influenced behaviour.
Dr Hayward said a dog’s early experiences (including their socialisation, or exposure to different experiences at a young age) and people’s responses to their actions could help to limit the risk of an attack.
“If you do your research, and you look beyond the fluffy puppy pictures when you’re choosing a dog, then you can see that maybe that dog who is a member of a breed that was originally selected for fighting [is not] the best choice for my family with small children,” he said.
He pointed to professional puppy classes as a socialisation tool, or the owner paying attention to what could trigger an incident where the dog is aggressive, as further pieces of the puzzle.
“There are some dogs who are just naturally wonderful and love everybody, and there’s never any issue.
“The majority of dogs need to be raised in the same way we need to raise our children and so forth, to guide them into the confidence and the behaviour patterns that we want.”
The Shoalhaven Council spokesperson said the council’s statistics for 2025 were showing a “downward trend” in dog-related incidents that were being reported to them.
“We are proud of and committed to our continued proactive initiatives to reduce dog attacks in the Shoalhaven,” they said.
“The statistics reflect the zero-tolerance approach and work being done by council to educate dog owners and to encourage the community to report any dangerous dog behaviour.”
The Office of Local Government is expected to release statistics for 2025 at a later date.
