Dangerous Dog Lawyers

Sydney Criminal Lawyers is the most experienced and successful law firm in 'Dangerous Dog' and 'Dog Attack' cases in NSW (see also our related site www.dangerousdoglawyers.com.au ).

Our criminal lawyers are passionate defenders of dog owner rights and have in-depth knowledge of the rules, regulations and case-law relating to prosecutions under the Companion Animals Act.

We can accurately advise you of your rights and options when faced with a prosecution under the Act.

We offer 'fixed fees' for 'dangerous dog' cases, so you will know exactly how much your case will cost (see our 'fixed fees' page).

If you have already been served with a 'Notice of Intention to Declare Dog Dangerous', 'Penalty Notice' or 'Court Attendance Notice', we can provide you with the strongest available representation in these types of cases.

We will be your voice when you feel you don't have one.

For over a decade, Sydney Criminal Lawyers has developed techniques to deal with 'dangerous dog' and 'dog attack/bite' cases.

We regularly conduct successful defences to these prosecutions, and frequently have legal costs awarded in favour of clients in cases where prosecutions were brought 'without reasonable basis' or 'in bad faith'.

In 'dog attack' cases, we often have alleged 'dangerous dogs' quickly returned to their owners and prosecutions dismissed in Court.

We regularly persuade Councils to withdraw prosecutions on various grounds, or to replace very serious criminal charges (eg 'dog attack' under section 16 or 'encourage to attack' under s17) with far less serious 'Penalty Notices' carrying fines.

We consistently influence Councils not to issue 'dangerous dog declarations' to owners upon whom a 'Notice of Intention to Declare Dog Dangerous' has been served.

This is done by sending a 'letter of objection' to Council within 7 days of receiving a 'Notice of Intention to Declare Dog Dangerous'. It often helps if the letter includes a 'temperament assessment' and 'undertakings to Council'.

We can refer you to the most respected 'temperamant assessors' in NSW; including assessors who train Council Rangers.

We can draft the 'letter of objection' and 'undertakings' on your behalf; which can include a promise to always keep your dog on a leash when in public, to ensure your backyard is secure and to only allow adults to walk your dog.

We can also persuade Councils to issue 'nuisance dog orders' rather than more serious 'dangerous dog declarations'. 

We regularly have 'dangerous dog declarations' revoked (cancelled); which is done by applying to the Local Court within 28 days or to the 'Council in which the dog is ordinarily kept' more than 12 months after the delaration is made. Councils will often agree to revoke dangerous dog declarations if 'Control Orders' are made instead; which are similar to 'undertakings' but are made by a Court.

We frequently advise animal welfare organisations and Councils of the rights and responsibilities of pet owners under the Companion Animals Act and its regulations.

In fact, Sydney Criminal Lawyers is recognised by Councils and other criminal lawyers as experts in the field and formidable advocates in court.