Dogs in Fremantle

A brown dog on a leash stands on grass, panting happily. In the background, people and other dogs are visible, with trees and a building under a clear sky.

Off-leash dog exercise areas

The city has designated areas where dogs can be exercised off leash.

Dog exercise areas include selected parks, reserves, beaches and foreshore areas across Fremantle, North Fremantle, South Fremantle, Beaconsfield, Hilton and Samson.

Use the map and searchable directory below to find a dog exercise area near you and check any location-specific conditions before you visit.

View all off-leash dog exercise areas on the map →

A small, fluffy black and gray dog on a leash stands in a grassy park, looking at the camera. A person holds the leash and another person with a dog is visible in the blurred background.

On-leash areas

Dogs must be kept on leash in public places unless the area is specifically designated as an off-leash dog exercise area.

This includes public recreation spaces, sporting areas and natural areas that have not been designated as dog exercise areas.

If you’re unsure whether your dog can be off leash, keep your dog on leash and check the map or local signage.

Find on-leash areas on the map →

A wet black and white dog stands on a sandy beach with a tennis ball in its mouth, looking happy. The ocean and some blurred trees are visible in the background.

Dog friendly beaches

Dog access varies between beaches and foreshore areas.

Some areas are designated off-leash dog exercise areas, while others are on leash or dog prohibited.

Use the map to check the designated area and boundaries before visiting with your dog.

Find dog-friendly beaches and foreshore areas →

Two small dogs sit in a stroller outside a café, looking forward. People can be seen chatting and sitting at tables inside the café in the background.

Dog-prohibited areas

Dogs are prohibited from designated dog-prohibited areas, this applies whether the dog is on or off leash.

Dog-prohibited areas include:

  • Playgrounds
  • Public buildings owned or managed by the City
  • Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre
  • Fremantle Oval
  • Fremantle Markets
  • Specified beaches and coastal areas
  • Specified sporting areas
  • Designated conservation areas

Some food businesses, including supermarkets and restaurants or cafés, are also dog-prohibited areas under the Food Act 2008 unless otherwise signed and authorised by the owner or operator.

Frequently asked questions

 

Only in areas designated as a dog exercise area.

The City’s Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas Council Policy list the designated off-lead and dog prohibited areas across the City of Fremantle. 

All other public places managed or regulated by the City of Fremantle are considered on-lead areas.

The City’s Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas Council Policy lists the designated off-lead and dog prohibited areas across the City of Fremantle.

Please refer to the dog exercise areas interactive map or refer to the Dog Exercise Areas and Parks Map (PDF) below. 

 

For the health and safety of all playground users, playgrounds are designated as a dog prohibited area.

Playgrounds are: 
An area generally featuring sand, rubber, bark, grass, or another impact attenuating (soft fall) surface, that is provided with equipment and/or objects intended for children’s play and includes fixed play equipment such as swings, slides, climbing structures, seesaws, nature play objects, and any similar apparatus or object designed for recreational use by children. 

Although this includes playgrounds in dog exercise areas, the dog exercise areas interactive map, or image below, may assist the community in finding a playground away from dogs off-lead. 

Please report any breaches of responsible dog ownership, including dog attacks, to the Community Safety team on 1300 360 666 or submit an online form.

While pets are an important part of our community, barking dogs can cause frustrations for neighbours. State legislation covers laws relating to dog nuisance and the city is obliged to follow this legislation. 

Getting help with a barking dog issue 
The first step in resolving an issue with a barking dog is to talk to your neighbours, or the dog’s owner, if you know who it is.
Dog owners may not be aware that their dog’s barking is causing concerns since this usually happens when the owner is not home.

If you are not comfortable speaking directly with your neighbour, you can call the City’s Community Safety team or try writing a polite letter outlining your concerns and leaving it in their mailbox.

If you wish to make a complaint, then it’s important to provide the city with information such as particular days, times and events which trigger the dog’s barking, so specific situations and solutions can be discussed with the owner.  
Make a complaint online 

Helping your dog reduce its barking  
There are a range of things you can do to help reduce your dog’s barking:  

  • Give your dog attention when it is quiet and no acknowledgement it when it barks 
  • Move your dog to another part of the yard, or play a radio at low-volume between your dog and the sound to block noises that triggers your dog’s bark 
  • Try blocking its vision to the outside if visual cues cause your dog to bark 
  • Keep your dog inside at times when the rubbish truck drives by or children walk to school 
  • Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and training 
  • Make sure your dog always has clean water and shelter from the weather  
  • Consider purchasing a bark collar or device to assist with barking issues
     

Please see the City’s Lost and found pets page.  
 
You can report a wandering animal by calling 1300 360 666 or submit an online form.
 

Please report sightings of injured dogs to the Community Safety team on 1300 360 666 or submit an online form.

As a dog owner, you are responsible for ensuring your dog is cared for, controlled, and complies with local laws. This includes: 

  • Ensuring your dog is microchipped and registered with your local authority. 
  • Making sure your dog is securely contained on your property and cannot escape. 
  • Not keeping more than two dogs on a property without the appropriate permit or approval. 
  • Keeping your dog on a leash in public places, unless you are in a designated off-leash area. 
  • Ensuring your dog is under effective control at all times and does not attempt to attack, or attack, any person or animal. 
  • Cleaning up after your dog and disposing of waste appropriately. 

 Please also see the penalties made under the Dog Act 1976, Dog Regulations 2013, and CoF Local Laws relating to dogs.

Visit our Pet registration page. 

Please contact RSPCA on 1300 278 358, Community Safety are not authorised for animal cruelty.  

If you have lost your dog, please call the Community Safety team on 1300 360 666 as soon as possible and provide the requested information and the city will do it’s best to locate your dog and safely return your animal. 

If the City of Fremantle Community Safety Officers have found your dog, they will scan it for the microchip and check the registration, if your dog is registered or microchipped, they will attempt to call the associated contact number.  

If your dog is not chipped or registered, or the officers cannot contact you they may impound your dog at the City’s animal management shelter. 

The City of Fremantle pound is located at 35 Forsyth Street, corner Hines Road, O’Connor.

While not a legal requirement, sterilising (de-sexing) your dog can provide a range of health and behavioural benefits. Sterilised dogs often live longer, healthier lives and are generally less likely to wander or display territorial behaviours.

Sterilisation also helps reduce the number of unwanted puppies and dogs entering pounds and shelters across Australia. 

In addition, sterilised dogs receive reduced registration fees, helping owners save money over the lifetime of their pet. 

Speak to your veterinarian to find out whether sterilisation is suitable for your dog and to discuss the best timing for the procedure. 

Dog friendly locations in Fremantle

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