Pressure is mounting for the government to act against the owners of vicious dogs after a spate of horrific maulings.
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In its latest annual report, Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) revealed it had investigated 360 attacks in the past year and seized 124 dogs.
However, just 12 dogs were classified as "dangerous" in 2016 and many of those involved in incidents were returned to their owners with minor sanctions such as not being allowed off-leash.
Opposition politicians are questioning whether current rules are keeping communities safe and dog attack victims say tougher laws are desperately needed.
The push comes as The Canberra Times reveals a number of recent incidents, such as:
- A man who was hospitalised after he was bitten on the arm while walking his small pet dog.
- A pet dog that was mauled to death by three pit bulls as its elderly owner walked it near Yerrabi Pond.
- A pet cat that was savaged so badly by two pit bulls it had to be put down.
- An elderly man who had his arm torn open as he tried to save his beloved pet dog from a fatal mauling.
- A man who was bitten on the arm by a large dog housed within an apartment complex in Griffith.
Opposition urban services spokesman Steve Doszpot said current rules concerning dangerous animals needed to be examined carefully.
"The Canberra Liberals support an examination of the effectiveness of the legislation but we are also concerned about how the current legislation is being enforced," Mr Doszpot said.
"We need the community's help so the sorts of attacks we are hearing about don't happen in the future."
The ACT government's domestic animal registrar is responsible for assessing dogs that have been seized following an attack.
"Pending the outcome of the assessment, some seized dogs will not be declared dangerous and can be returned to their owners," a TCCS spokesman said.
"Usually with conditions such as not being allowed off-leash even in a designated off-leash public area."
If a dog was declared dangerous by the registrar its owner must apply for a special licence that imposed strict conditions.
"This usually includes conditions such as being muzzled when in public, only people over the age of 18 can be in control of the dog, the dog must wear a dangerous dog collar and the dog must be kept in a suitable lockable enclosure."
In cases where a dog was put down it was not declared dangerous, the spokesman said.
Victims have suggested measures such as outlawing certain breeds, tightening restrictions on the ownership of dangerous dogs and imposing harsher penalties on the owners of dogs that attack.
Daniel Meyers lost a finger, part of his hand and a chunk of his tricep after he was set upon by two pit bulls in March last year.
He said it was about time the government took action to protect the community.
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt. I only like caring dogs now."
Jack Hartigan, 12, had his face ripped open when was attacked by two pit bulls at just six years of age.
His father Patrick agreed that now was the time for the government to take a stand.
"There's always people who will break the rules and some laws will take forever to sink in, but you've got to start somewhere,' he said.
