Governing in the Dark: Victoria's Hidden Dog Attack Crisis
Victoria is facing a public safety crisis it refuses to see.
Every year, in backyards, parks, and on public streets, people and their beloved pets are victims of preventable dog attacks. The physical and emotional trauma is immense. Yet, when victims seek justice, they encounter a wall of silence.
This is not by accident. It is by design.
Secure Ground exists to expose a broken system—a system that protects irresponsible owners, is influenced by conflicted advisors, and chooses to remain ignorant of the true scale of the problem. It is time to turn on the lights.
Our Story: Why Secure Ground Exists
This advocacy was born from tragedy. On a normal afternoon, our family's small Papillon, Manix, was killed in his own backyard—the one place he should have been safe. He was attacked by two powerful, pit bull type dogs that had entered from a neighbouring property through an insecure fence.
In the moments that followed, our family was also directly endangered by the attacking dogs. It was a terrifying ordeal of gross negligence that should have triggered an immediate and serious response from authorities.
Instead, what followed was a masterclass in systemic failure. The perpetrator and his dogs vanished. The police deferred to the council. The council conducted a superficial investigation before "closing the case" due to a lack of progress. We were stonewalled, dismissed, and ultimately denied justice at every turn.
Our story is not unique. It is a predictable outcome of a system that is failing Victorians. We learned the hard way that when it comes to dog attacks, our government is not providing us with secure ground.
You Can't Fix a Problem You Refuse to Measure
How serious is Victoria's dog attack problem? The government does not know, because it chooses not to know.
While other states like New South Wales and South Australia track and report dog attack statistics to inform the public and guide policy, Victoria operates in a deliberate data black hole.
We asked the government body responsible for overseeing councils, Local Government Victoria (LGV), why they don't collect this vital public safety data. Their formal response is a stunning admission of failure:
"the role of Local Government Victoria is to provide policy advice, oversee legislation and work with councils to support responsive and accountable local government services. Therefore, Local Government Victoria’s role does not extend to collecting information about the number of dog attacks in Victoria."
(Letter from LGV to Secure Ground, 8 July 2025)
This refusal to measure the problem is the cornerstone of the crisis. It allows the government to avoid accountability, lets the media ignore the issue, and leaves the public dangerously unaware of the true risks in their community.
How a Broken System Protects Irresponsible Owners
The lack of justice isn't just bad luck; it's the result of critical failures in Victoria's laws, governance, and culture.
Flawed Laws: The "One Free Attack" Loophole
Victoria has two conflicting sets of laws for dog attacks. The powerful Crimes Act 1958 has serious penalties for endangering human life, but it can only be used if a dog has already been declared "dangerous" or is a "restricted breed." For everything else, the system defaults to the weak Domestic Animals Act 1994, which treats attacks as minor infractions with small fines—even when a person is killed. This creates a huge loophole: as long as it's a dog's "first free attack" or the owner flees, they can't be charged with a serious crime.
Broken Governance: The Public Safety Vacuum
Who in the Victorian Government is responsible for preventing dog attacks? The answer is shocking: no one. Responsibility for the DA Act falls to the Minister for Agriculture and is managed by Animal Welfare Victoria. This puts a body focused on animal welfare, and heavily influenced by animal shelters and lobby groups, in charge of public safety. This is a fundamental conflict of interest that ensures the safety of the public consistently takes a back seat.
Conflicted Advisors & "Risk Laundering"
Major advisory bodies like the RSPCA and AVA lobby against any breed-specific safety measures. This creates a conflict where the organizations responsible for enforcing breed laws are politically opposed to them. It also allows a practice of "risk laundering," where high-risk dogs from fighting or bloodsport lines are rehomed from shelters under the banner of "fighting breed discrimination." These dogs are often labelled "only suitable for a home with no other pets or children"—a clear admission that they are not suitable for the community at all.
A Path to Secure Ground: A Framework for Reform
This crisis is solvable. It requires political will and the implementation of common-sense reforms that prioritize public safety. We advocate for a three-part solution:
1. Smarter, Stronger Laws
Amend the Crimes Act to apply to any reckless owner, not just those with a "declared" dog. Close the loopholes in restricted breed legislation to focus on bloodline and purpose, not just a name. And create a class of "Restricted Person" to ban the worst offenders from ever owning a dog again.
2. Accountable Government
Move responsibility for the DA Act to the Minister for Local Government, where it belongs. Mandate the collection and public reporting of statewide dog attack data. And create an independent body, free from conflicts of interest, whose sole mission is public safety.
3. A Culture of Responsibility
Empower police to be the lead investigators in all serious attacks. Regulate the irresponsible backyard breeding and online sale of high-risk dogs. And shift the focus from blaming the dog to holding the human at the other end of the leash fully accountable for their actions.
Join Us in Demanding Change
Your voice is essential to fixing this broken system. Here is how you can help create a safer Victoria.
For Victims and Supporters
Have you or someone you know been the victim of a dog attack? Have you faced a wall of silence from authorities? You are not alone. Your story is a powerful testament to the need for change.
- Share Your Story: We invite you to Contact Us to share your experience in confidence. Every story helps build the case for reform.
- Collaborate With Us: If you are an advocate, legal professional, or researcher, please Contact Us to explore how we can work together.
For All Concerned Victorians
You do not need to be a direct victim to demand a safer community for your family and your pets.
- Get Informed: Download our comprehensive report, "Governing in the Dark," to understand the full scale of the problem and our proposed solutions.
Contact Your Local MP: Use the information on this website and in our report to write to your local Member of Parliament. Ask them one simple question: "Why is Victoria the only major state that refuses to tell its citizens how many dog attacks are happening?" Demand that they support reform.
Read the Full Investigation
This website provides a summary of the key issues. Our full White Paper contains the complete, detailed analysis, including a breakdown of the flawed legislation and evidence from correspondence with government departments.
