The attacks have been a result of dogs not being under effective control or escaping from their yards or enclosures, the officers said.

On February 27 a person delivering parcels to a farm in Armstrong was bitten by a dog that lived on the property. The owner of the dog, a 50-year-old man, was fined $389 for a non-serious injury caused by dog attack.

The following day, a rottweiler jumped a fence and attacked a small dog being walked by a woman along Henderson Street, Ararat. The woman received significant injuries and her dog went to the vets.

In another serious dog attack on March 3, a small dog was attacked in its own yard by two wandering dogs, and died a few days later. 

Ararat Rural City Council’s emergency services, safety and local laws manager Matthew Wood said under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, dog owners were legally bound to confine their dogs to the property via escape-proof fencing, securely shut gates and the provision of safe visitor access to the front door.

“As a dog owner, you are liable if your dog attacks a person or another animal. Active measures need to be taken to ensure yards, fences and gates are secure at all times,” Mr Wood said.

“Dogs seen wandering the street or escaping from inadequately fenced properties will face impoundment and their owners fined.”