Under Section 42 of the ACT Domestic Animals ACT 2000 - A person must not take a dog onto a field or playing area where sport is being played or training for sport is being conducted. On-the spot fines of $75 can be issued for the above offence but can be as much as $750. See more information below.

Dog droppings

All dog droppings in public places must be removed by the dog owner. It is an offence not to remove your dog's droppings in a public place and not to carry appropriate equipment to pick up your dog's droppings. An on-the-spot fine of $50.00 can be issued by authorising officers if you do not pick up and dispose of your dog's droppings. An on-the-spot fine of $50.00 can also be issued if you are not carrying appropriate equipment to collect your dog's droppings.

Visit the ACT Government website Recreation with my Dog for more details.

ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000

The ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000 in detail.

FYI: a penalty unit is currently $150, so 5 penalty units is $750 as a maximum penalty.

Dogs – Section 42 Prohibited places

1. A person must not take a dog into the grounds of a child-care centre, preschool or primary school unless—
   
   1. a keeper of the dog resides in the grounds; or
   2. the dog is taken into the grounds with the permission of the principal or person in charge of the child-care centre, preschool or primary school.

   Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

2. A person must not take a dog into the grounds of a high school or secondary college during school hours or when school sport, including sport training, is being conducted unless—
   
   1. a keeper of the dog resides in the grounds; or
   2. the dog is taken into the grounds with the permission of the principal or person in charge of the high school or secondary college.

   Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

3. A person must not take a dog onto a field or playing area where sport is being played or training for sport is being conducted.
   

   Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

4. A person must not take a dog into a public place that is within 10m of—
   
   1. anything designed for play by children in the public place if children are playing on it; or
   2. a fireplace or heating appliance in the public place designed for cooking food; or
   3. a swimming area as defined by a sign erected, placed or displayed under the Lakes Act 1976, section 15 (a) (v).

   Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

5. In this section:
   • dog does not include an assistance animal that is with a person with a disability.
   • public place means any unleased territory land that the public is entitled to use or that is open to, or used by, the public, and includes any street, road, lane, thoroughfare, footpath, or place that is territory land open to, or used by, the public.