Queensland dog owners could go to jail if their animals kill or badly injure someone, under proposed changes to the state's animal control laws.
A special taskforce has been reviewing Queensland's dog laws since 2021 and on Wednesday the group was reconvened in an emergency meeting after a spate of attacks in the state.
The taskforce has proposed a sliding scale of penalties for owners or carers whose dogs attack people or other animals.
That includes increased fines, and even jail time, when attacks result in deaths or serious injury.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said that would bring Queensland into line with New South Wales and Victoria.
"I don't need much persuasion in terms of looking at jail time," he said.
"I think when you consider the examples of what we've heard of late, in terms of people who've been mauled or killed as a result of dangerous dogs, there is a case to be made."
Dangerous breeds could be banned
Other proposals include on-the-spot fines for off-leash dogs as well as a statewide ban on restricted dog breeds, such as American pit bulls, dogo Argentinos and the Japanese tosas, all dogs that are bred to fight.
The taskforce includes representatives from councils across the state, the Local Government Association of Queensland and officers from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
It has also flagged the need to fast-track decisions and appeals on the future of seized dangerous animals, which LGAQ chief executive Alison Smith said was a concern for councils.
Ms Smith said the Scenic Rim Council had incurred more than $300,000 in costs detaining an animal while appeals were underway.
"[There are] tens of thousands of dollars in costs to (other) councils for similar examples," she said.
Other suggestions include a centralised database for microchipping details, improved powers for council officers, new penalties for unregistered and un-microchipped animals as well as repeat offenders.
The state government has been seeking community feedback on the changes before the taskforce meets again next month.
