Often Principals are asked to make a decision about dogs being on school sites. Although most dogs are trained, friendly and non-threatening, some of our students may exhibit anxious behaviours or other behaviours around any dog. The law and Department resources are listed below.

School Guidelines Option

Dogs of School Grounds

The NSW Consolidated Acts pertaining to dogs’ states that dogs are prohibited in some public places. Section (e) of the Act specifically refers to schools and states that this applies to dogs whether they are leashed or unleashed. The exceptions are Assistance dogs Support dog guidelines (nsw.gov.au) that are specifically trained to assist, for example, those requiring emotional support or who are sight or hearing impaired. 

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 No 87 - "Dogs are prohibited in the following places:

(e) School grounds (meaning any property occupied or used for the purpose connected with the conduct of a government school or non-government school under the Education Act 1990.) "

The New South Wales Companion Animals Act was introduced in September 1998 and is about the welfare of animals, their owners and the broader community. Councils enforce the Act, promote responsible pet ownership and maintain a state-wide identification and registration system, the NSW Companion Animals Register.

Under the Companion Animals Act, owners of dogs and cats must:

• Be 18 years of age or over
• Leash their dog when in a public place
• Ensure their dog wears a collar and identification tag when in a public place
• Ensure their dog or cat does not enter a food consumption area or wildlife protection area
• Ensure their dog does not enter a school or childcare playground and any other place declared prohibited to dogs by Council

Section 14 of the Act particularly states that dogs are prohibited in SCHOOL GROUNDS (whether or not they are leashed or otherwise controlled). Any visitor to the school is not able to bring their dog into the school grounds but may remain with their leashed dog on the footpath at the front of the school, which is a public area.

Written by Greg McLaren (read by Special Counsel in DoE Legal Services)

Newsletter Option

Dogs on School Grounds

Many of our students own dogs and feel comfortable around dogs whilst several other students are quite anxious around dogs.

Regardless of either position, under the Companion Animals Act, in Section 14 it states that dogs are prohibited (not allowed) in school grounds, whether or not they are leashed or otherwise controlled. Without blocking entry and exit, any visitor to the school is not able to bring their dog into the school grounds but may remain with their leashed dog on the footpath at the front of the school, which is a public area.