Before you make a complaint, consider the following:

• is the barking loud and persistent? Please note down times and durations of barking
• can you speak with the owners?
• have you tried to leave a note in their letter box to make them aware of the barking issues?

Dog barking issues are looked at on a case-by-case basis, as there are various factors which cause a dog to bark.

When Council receives a compliant about a barking dog it will investigate and, if found to be a problem, a Dog Control Officer will work with the dog owner to understand the extent of the barking, the reasons for the barking and will encourage solutions and behavior change so that the dog is no longer causing a nuisance.

If an owner is uncooperative, or the barking continues to be persistent or loud, a Barking Dog Abatement Notice may be issued under section 55 of the Act.

If the abatement notice is not complied with, an infringement notice may be issued to the dog owner. Dogs may also be impounded by a Dog Control Officer due to loud and persistent barking until Council is satisfied that returning the dog will not result in nuisance to the community.

Complaints about barking dogs may impact on the dog owner’s ability to have Responsible Dog Ownership Status or to hold a license to own more than two dogs.