New pet ownership laws came into effect on July 31 in Queensland.

One of the new laws sees an on-the-spot fine of $806 issued if residents do not keep their dogs under effective control when in public.

Previously, the fine was $322.

More serious dog attack offences can see fines of up to $112,910 issued, as well as up to three years imprisonment.

“Changes were made to the AMCDA due to a rise in complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks, and the large number of dog-attack victims admitted to hospital each year in Queensland,” the Queensland government said in a statement online.

Gold Coast resident John was recently fined $806 for “failure to exercise effective control of a non-regulated dog in a public place” after he walked his dog approximately 10 metres from his van to the water where the duo kayak.

John told A Current Affair that he thought the fine was “very unfair” as he was “only travelling from my van to the water.”

“If I didn’t pay it in 28 days, I would be charged extra.”

“I wasn’t wandering on footpaths or public areas. I was just travelling from the car to the water. I didn’t think I did anything wrong,” John said.

In September, another dog owner copped the $806 fine after having her dog leash under her foot while getting a coffee.

“It’s wrong, we are trying to survive and it is another stress I didn’t need,” Robyn told Yahoo News.

“She was on a lead and collar and she was behaving properly,” she said.