A wandering dog may bite people or kill or injure cats, other dogs and livestock. It can cause a traffic accident, annoy people on beaches, or be a nuisance to neighbours by messing on lawns, digging up gardens, or scavenging in bins. A dog may begin its wandering by being allowed onto it's owner's front verge, then it may go into the neighbour's property and later to the end of the street. Eventually the dog is known to be a nuisance by the whole neighbourhood. If a person has a problem with a dog in the neighbourhood they should contact the owner or Council before the problem escalates.
Many traffic accidents occur every week involving dogs.
Many other accidents are caused by dogs wandering on the road. The dog owner is liable for damage costs. If a driver of a motor vehicle is involved in an accident with a dog, he or she must stop and render assistance. If a dog causes an accident and runs away, the driver should attempt to follow the dog home so that it's owner can be located. The incident should then be reported to Council's Animal Control Section for investigation and further action.