Under proposed Australian law, pet owners may need to devote three hours daily to their dogs
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has unveiled a draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, open for public feedback until August 22, 2025[1][2]. This proposed update aims to reflect the evolving community expectations and scientific understanding regarding the care and welfare of dogs.
Once finalized in early 2026, the new code will replace the 2010 version and apply to all dog owners and anyone in charge of a dog in the ACT, with legal penalties for non-compliance under the Animal Welfare Act 1992[2].
A significant proposed change is the introduction of a minimum requirement for daily human contact: dogs must receive at least three hours of human interaction each day[1]. This is framed as a mandatory standard, not a guideline, which means failure to provide this contact would constitute an offence under the new code.
The draft code mandates other requirements, including secure confinement when at home, microchipping for all dogs 12 weeks or older, desexing for dogs over six months, unless an exemption is granted, and the prohibition of debarking surgeries as a bark control method[1][2]. It also outlines adequate shelter, ventilation, lighting, bedding, and regular outdoor access, clean food and water bowls, with water topped up at least twice daily and bedding changed weekly[1]. The use of retractable leashes is also prohibited, as they are deemed unsafe, and restrictions on the number of dogs per residence without a license, and prohibitions on aggressive dogs in off-leash areas[2].
The ACT Government is actively seeking feedback from dog owners, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure the code meets current standards and expectations[1][2]. The finalized code is expected to be released in early 2026, at which point all owners in the ACT must comply[2].
While the ACT is moving toward explicit daily human contact requirements, it is important to note that dog welfare laws and practices can vary significantly by state and territory in Australia, with local councils also able to impose additional bylaws[4]. The ACT’s approach represents one of the most detailed and prescriptive sets of standards currently under consideration in the country.
The new proposed legislation for the welfare of dogs in the ACT acknowledges that dogs have mental needs, in addition to physical ones[3]. If passed, dog parents in the ACT would be required to spend a minimum of three hours with their dogs each day. However, some have expressed concerns about the legislation's enforcement and definition of "human contact" in the context of the code[5].
The link to provide feedback on the new proposed legislation for the welfare of dogs in the ACT is available. The ACT has a strong recent track record in animal welfare, recognizing animals as sentient beings in 2019[6].
References: [1]
- The draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the Australian Capital Territory covers reproducible standards for pet owners and people responsible for dogs, mandating three hours of daily human interaction, secure confinement, microchipping, desexing, prohibition of debarking surgeries, and more.
- The proposed minimum daily human contact for dogs, set at three hours, is a mandatory standard stipulated by the new code, which would make failure to provide such interaction an offense.
- The ACT Government is encouraging feedback from dog owners, industry stakeholders, and the public to refine the current draft of the welfare code, as it endeavors to meet evolving community expectations.
- If passed, the new code for dog welfare in the ACT would make dog parents subject to legal penalties for non-compliance with the legislative guidelines, which may include providing adequate shelter, regularly changing bedding, providing clean food and water bowls, and following limitations on the number of dogs per residence among other requirements.
