By ANNA USHER

North Sydney Council has warned dog owners to keep their pets under control and at least 10 metres clear of children’s playgrounds, after 36 dog attacks were reported across the area in a year.

Council rangers are patrolling local parks and issuing fines, the council said in a notice published on 9 July.

North Sydney Council confirmed to Mosman Collective it received the 36 reports during the 2025-26 financial year.

“Council takes reports of dog attacks seriously and investigates each matter to determine whether enforcement action is appropriate,” a council spokesperson said.

The warning is blunt about playgrounds. Under the Companion Animals Act, dogs are banned within 10 metres of children’s playground equipment, whether they are on the lead or off it.

“Playgrounds are designed to be safe spaces for children and families,” the council said. “Keeping dogs away from these areas helps reduce the risk of incidents and ensures everyone can use our parks comfortably and safely.”

Owners must also always keep their dogs under effective control. The council does not consider an owner in control if they are handling more than four dogs at once and says the rule still applies inside off-leash areas.

“Anyone who witnesses or experiences a dog attack is encouraged to report the incident to Council’s Rangers as soon as possible so it can be investigated,” the council said.

Rangers take reports on 9936 8100. The council asks for the location, the date and time, a description of the dog and owner, and photos where you have them.

Where your dog must be ON LEASH in North Sydney

North Sydney is dog friendly by default. The council says all its parks and public reserves are off-leash areas, except for:

• Bushland areas
• Playing fields when organised sporting events are in progress
• St Leonards Oval (No 1 and 2)
• Cremorne Reserve
• Clark Park
• Ancrum St Park
• Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability

Over the boundary, five out of 30

Mosman Council received 30 reports of alleged dog attacks in 2024-25. Five led to action against the owner.

A Mosman Council spokesperson told Mosman Collective that the five cases that went further resulted in either a Control Order, which can force an owner to muzzle, leash, or contain their dog, or a Penalty Infringement Notice.

“Not all reported incidents result in regulatory action,” the spokesperson said.

“Council must assess each matter on its individual circumstances, and enforcement action can only be taken where there is sufficient reliable evidence to substantiate the alleged offence and satisfy the relevant legislative requirements.”

The two councils supplied different financial years, so the figures are not a like-for-like comparison. North Sydney did not say how many of its 36 reports led to action.

Willoughby Council has been asked for its figures.

An attack without a bite

A dog does not have to bite anyone to be reported to authorities.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, an attack covers any dog that rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases a person or another animal. Vermin do not count.

No injury is needed.

“As a result, reported dog attack statistics may include incidents where no physical contact was made and no injury was sustained,” the Mosman spokesperson said.
Mosman Collective reported in 2024 that 7,538 registered dogs live in the LGA, with about one in four residents owning one.

The Council spokesperson said officers try to work with owners before issuing a fine.

“Council officers work with owners to improve compliance and prevent future attacks before resorting to enforcement measures, where appropriate,” they said.

What it costs

Neither council sets the fines. They are set by NSW regulation and are the same in Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby.

A ranger can write a $1,320 ticket for a dog attack. Letting a dog off the lead where it should be on one costs $330, as does taking a dog within 10 metres of playground equipment. Not picking up after your dog costs $275.

In court the numbers climb fast. An attack by an ordinary dog carries a maximum penalty of $11,000. If the dog has already been declared dangerous, menacing or restricted, that jumps to $44,000, and a ranger cannot simply issue a ticket. The matter goes to a magistrate.

Where your dog can run free in Mosman

Off the leash, any time:

• Rawson Park (some exceptions, check the council map)
• Lawry Plunkett Reserve, top of Plunkett Rd
• Reid Park, except Saturdays 8.30am to 5.30pm from 1 October to 30 March
• Spit Reserve West, except Saturdays 8.30am to 2.30pm
• Spit Reserve East

Off the leash Monday to Friday, and before 9am and after 4pm on weekends and public holidays:

• Clifton Gardens Reserve
• Sirius Park
• Rosherville Reserve
• In the water, same hours:

Sirius Cove

• Spit West and Spit East Reserves
• Clifton Gardens, east of the jetty, before 9am and after 4pm on winter weekdays, and before 9am and after 6pm on weekdays from October to March

Everywhere else in Mosman, the lead stays on.

Mosman’s rangers are on 9978 4081, seven days from 6am to 6pm. North Sydney’s are on 9936 8100. Both councils want attacks reported straight away, whether they happen on public or private property.