Queenslanders will help decide whether irresponsible dog owners should be banned from keeping a dog, with a discussion paper released yesterday by the State Government.

Minister for Local Government Paul Lucas said the paper looked at a range of measures to protect the community from dangerous dogs, including giving councils the power to issue on-the-spot fines and prohibiting people from owning dogs.

"I've spoken to a number of dog owners who have not only been emotionally devastated, but also out of pocket thousands of dollars when their own dog has been attacked by an out of control dog owned by someone who doesn't care what their pet does," Mr Lucas said.

"I think there's a very good argument for people who suffer injury to themselves or their children or indeed pet owners who suffer expensive injuries as a result of an out of control dog to have a fast tracked and simplified method of recovering compensation for medical or vet fees from the guilty par ties.

"It's not just about having adequate laws to punish people in the courts for their behaviour, they must also be required to pay appropriate compensation.

"If your beloved pet is seriously injured by an out of control dog I don't see why you should be out of pocket because the owner isn't responsible."

Mr Lucas said between January 2009 and June 2010, 6,330 injuries from dog attacks were recorded at Hospital Emergency Departments and it is estimated that it is only a quarter to a fifth of the actual number of dog attacks state-wide.

"Currently, councils have the power to declare a dog as dangerous or menacing and prosecute the owner when an attack occurs, which can carry a maximum fine of $30,000.

"However, this does not address minor offences where the owner allows their dog to behave aggressively in public and create a nuisance." 

The State Government has released the discussion paper 'Management of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs in Queensland' to give people a say on how they would like to see irresponsible dog owners penalised.

To view and make a submission visit www.dlgp.qld.gov.au. Submissions close on 16 April 2012. 

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