Barking Dogs, Neighbours and your local Council.
Barking Dog Complaints in Australia: What You Need to Know
If you’re dealing with a barking dog in your neighbourhood, you’re not alone. Persistent dog barking is a common issue, and while rules vary between Australian states and local councils, you have rights as a resident. This guide will walk you through practical steps to address barking dog complaints effectively and achieve a resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barking Dogs in Australia
1. What can you do if a neighbour's dog keeps barking?
If a barking dog is disrupting your peace, start by identifying the problem and documenting its frequency. Open communication with your neighbour can often resolve the issue before escalating it.
2. How long can a dog legally bark in Australia?
Laws about barking dogs differ depending on your local council. In most areas, barking that lasts for extended periods, such as 10 minutes within an hour during the day or 5 minutes at night, may be considered excessive. Check your local regulations to be certain.
3. What happens if a neighbour complains about your barking dog?
If a complaint is made, councils typically investigate. They might ask for evidence like noise diaries and may issue warnings or notices to the dog's owner. ** 4. How long does a barking dog need to bark to be a nuisance?**
A barking dog becomes a nuisance when the noise is frequent, prolonged, or occurs at inappropriate times, significantly disturbing neighbours. Councils assess this on a case-by-case basis.
5. How can you report a barking dog?
If a barking dog continues to cause problems, you can report it to your local council. They will likely ask you to provide detailed evidence, such as a barking diary, to support your claim.
Steps to Handle a Barking Dog Problem
If a barking dog in your neighbourhood is causing issues, here’s what you can do:
1. Start a barking diary.
Keep a detailed record of when the barking occurs and for how long. Note any patterns, such as times of day or specific triggers. This diary will be crucial if you need to involve the local council.
2. Communicate with your neighbour.
Discuss the issue politely with the dog owner. They may not realize their dog is causing a disturbance. A constructive conversation can often resolve the issue without further action.
3. Block the dog's view.
Many barking dogs are triggered by visual stimuli, such as people walking by or other animals. Installing screens, fences, or plants can help reduce their barking by limiting what they can see.
4. Use a dog ultrasonic training device.
Ultrasonic devices can help manage barking dogs by emitting a sound that deters barking without harming the animal.
5. Contact your local council. If the barking persists, submit a formal complaint to your local council. Be sure to include your barking diary, showing at least two weeks of documented incidents.
Why Does a Dog Bark Excessively?
Understanding why a barking dog is acting out can help you address the issue more effectively. Dogs may bark excessively due to boredom, anxiety, or external triggers like other animals or noises. If you're a dog owner, ensuring your pet has adequate exercise, mental stimulation, and proper training can significantly reduce excessive barking.
Final Thoughts on Barking Dog Complaints
A barking dog can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can address the issue and restore peace in your neighbourhood. Whether it's through open communication with the owner or escalating the matter to your local council, there are effective steps to handle the situation.
By following these recommendations, you’ll be well-equipped to manage barking dog complaints and foster a harmonious living environment.
NSW
Try talking to your neighbour as they might not know their dog is bothering you. If the problem persists, there are a few ways to resolve the issue:
contact the Community Justice Centre (CJC) to help mediate and settle the problem.
contact your local council who may issue a nuisance order (which incurs a fine for non-compliance) to the dog's owner, or
seek a noise abatement order from your local court. For more information on how you can deal with barking dogs, visit the EPA website or NSW Dept of Planning and Environment.
ACT
Talk to your neighbours if your neighbours are approachable.
Reach out and work with them to try find a solution.
You can report animal nuisances to Domestic Animal Services via Access Canberra on 132281 or City Services.
QLD
The law says that, if a dog barks excessively, an abatement notice (i.e. a notice requesting that they cease the noise) can be given to the dog's owner if the problem can't be resolved directly. The council may issue the dog’s owner with an abatement notice or fine. Contact your local council - here are some of the key councils Brisbane city Council, City of Morton Bay Council ,Logan Council, Ipswich Council , City of Gold Coast Council, Redland City Council, Sunshine Coast Council
VIC
If the noise or other nuisance continues, let the council know so that they can take further action. They may ask you to keep records to show how often and how long the nuisance goes on for. Although councils can act on one person’s complaint, it helps your case if other neighbours also report the problem. If your neighbour’s pet continues to be a nuisance, your neighbour may be fined or taken to court. The Dispute Settlement Centre provides free advice to help neighbours sort out problems such as barking dogs, phone 1300 372 888 or Animal Welfare Victoria
SA
Each local council has an Animal Management Office to which any complaints about noisy animals should be directed Barking is considered excessive when it exceeds:
240 barks per day between the hours of 7.00am and 9.00pm, or
35 barks per night between the hours of 9.00pm and 7.00am, or
regularly exceeds 30 barks per hour during the day or
4 barks per hour during the night.
You might be able to use the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) For more information contact Legal Services Australia
TAS
Each local Council have the power to deal with the owners of dogs that create a nuisance by barking. Prior to lodging a complaint, you must be able to show that you spoke to your neighbour and tried to resolve if with them.
Identify the correct address.
Keep a log of the times and duration of the barking dog for 2 weeks
Submit with your complaint. Each Council the power to deal with owners of dogs the create nuisance barking.
Local Council links Devonport, Glenorchy, Hobart, West Coast
WA
The Dog Act empowers local governments to act if valid complaints are received If the authorised person is satisfied that the dog is causing a nuisance, they advise the dog owner of that conclusion.
• Abatement Notice is issued to the person liable for the control of the dog and advise them that a breach of the Abatement Notice constitutes an offence. "
• It is not the fact that the dog has caused a nuisance that constitutes the offence, but the fact that the owner does not prevent future instances of nuisance.
Dept of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
NT
A barking dog which is persistent and interferes with the peace, comfort and safe living environment of a person on other premises, a complaint may be lodged.
Council will undertake a nuisance barking investigation where:
• Barking exceeds three (3) minutes in any 30 minute period between 10m and 7am
• Barking exceeds six (6) minutes in any hour period between 7am and 10pm that day.
Call 08 8930 0600 or NT Gov online form
To stop a neighbour's dog from barking excessively in Australia, you can follow these steps:
Talk to your neighbour: Be polite respectful and explain that their dog's barking is a problem for you. Be specific about what the problem is (e.g., the time of day the dog barks, the duration of the barking, etc.). Suggest some solutions, such as training the dog to bark less or providing the dog with more exercise and mental stimulation.
Block the dog's view. If the dog is barking at something outside, such as people or other animals, try to block their view. You can do this by planting trees or shrubs, putting up a fence, or closing your curtains or blinds.
Use a dog whistle or sonic bark control device. An ultrasonic training device emits a high-pitched sound that can be heard by dogs but not by humans. When the dog barks, you can use the training device to startle them. This may help them to stop barking.
Contact your local council. If you have tried all the above and your neighbour's dog is still barking excessively, you may want to contact your local council. There may be laws in your area that regulate noise levels, and your council may be able to help you to resolve the issue. See above for your state and link to where you can start.
Here are some additional tips:
Be consistent. If you decide to use a dog whistle or sonic training device, be sure to use it consistently. This means using it every time the dog barks.
Be patient. It may take some time for the dog to learn that barking is no longer acceptable. Be patient and consistent with your training, and eventually the dog will stop barking.
Be understanding. It is important to remember that dogs bark for a variety of reasons. Some dogs bark out of boredom, anxiety, or fear. If you can understand why your neighbour's dog is barking, you may be more able to work with your neighbour to find a solution.
Please note that the specific laws and regulations regarding noise levels vary from state to state in Australia. Be sure to check with your local council for more information.
Good luck
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