The state-level rules every owner and walker in Western Australia should know. Local leash lengths, licensing and off-leash rules are set by each city — find those on the city pages below.
Western Australia's dog law runs on the Dog Act 1976. If a dog attacks or chases a person or animal, every person liable for the control of the dog commits an offence — so a walker holding the lead carries direct criminal exposure. Restricted-breed dangerous dogs (American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and Perro de Presa Canario) must be muzzled and leashed by a capable adult whenever in public.
Under the Dog Act 1976 (WA), if a dog attacks or chases any person or animal, every person liable for the control of the dog commits an offence — not just the registered owner. That expressly reaches the person in control at the time, which on a walk is the walker. Penalties escalate sharply where physical injury is caused: for an ordinary dog a fine of up to $10,000 where injury results (and up to $3,000 for chasing without injury), and for a dangerous dog up to $20,000 (with a minimum penalty) where injury results. The owner does not carry this alone — the handler shares it. This is criminal liability that sits on top of any civil claim for the damage done, so a walker needs their own liability insurance covering dogs in their care. [VERIFY: exact current penalty amounts against the in-force Dog Act 1976 s.33D.]
WA runs a dangerous dog (restricted breed) regime alongside individually declared dangerous dogs. The restricted breeds are the American Pit Bull Terrier (and pit bull terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario), including a cross of two or more breeds where one is a restricted breed. A restricted-breed dog must always wear a muzzle and be on a leash in public, handled by a capable adult; must be sterilised; must be confined to an enclosure that prevents escape; must wear a red and yellow diagonally striped collar; and the owner must notify the local government. For a walker this is a hard hook: if a client dog is or resembles a restricted breed, confirm its status and handle it strictly to the muzzle-and-lead conditions, or decline.
Microchipping is mandatory for dogs from 3 months of age, and dogs from 3 months must be registered with the local government where they are kept (renewal generally due 1 November each year; one-year, three-year and lifetime options exist under the Dog Regulations 2013). In a public place a dog must be held or tethered on a lead no longer than 2 metres and is only allowed off-lead in a designated dog exercise area, where it must still be under effective control. Registration fees are set by regulation — broadly a modest fee for a sterilised dog and a higher fee for an unsterilised dog, with concessions. [VERIFY: current sterilised / unsterilised / lifetime registration fee amounts and the on-the-spot fine for an unregistered dog against Dog Regulations 2013 and the relevant council.]
Local governments set the on-leash and off-leash map and enforce it. Councils specify dog exercise areas (parks, reserves and stretches of beach where a dog may be off-lead under control), on-leash zones everywhere else, and dog-prohibited areas (fenced playgrounds, sports grounds, some beaches). Owners must carry a bag and pick up, and there are limits on the number of dogs kept per premises (commonly two without a permit). Rangers issue infringement notices for offences such as a dog not held or tethered, wandering, or not registered. The rules vary council by council, so a walker must check each area's local law and exercise-area brochure. [VERIFY: exact infringement amounts and dog-number limits against each council's current local law.]
This is general information about Western Australia law, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the official state and municipal sources.