Barking

A dog may bark excessively if it is provoked, poorly trained, distressed or bored. If a dog is barking because of neglect or cruelty, they should be referred to the RSPCA..  

If you have complaints about a barking dog, you can:

1. Speak to the owner in a respectful manner and try to resolve the matter

2. Contact the Community Justice Centre to assist with mediation

3. Seek a Noise Abatement Order under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 through the Local Court

4. Contact Council

Council does not take action on an individual notification of a barking dog and will only take action on barking dog matters where a broad community noise impact has been verified by independent evidence.

Nuisance dogs and cats

It is important that your pet does not disturb your neighbours.

A dog is deemed to be a nuisance if it:

• consistently roams unattended or escapes the property where it is usually kept

• makes persistent, excessive noise

• repeatedly defecates on private property other than the property on which it is ordinarily kept

• repeatedly runs at or chases a person, animal (other than vermin) or vehicle

• endangers the health of a person or animal (other than vermin

• repeatedly causes substantial damage to anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.

A cat is deemed to be a nuisance if it:

• makes persistent, excessive noise that reasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises

• repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.

Rangers investigate issues such as:

• Dog attacks

• Cats attacking other animals

• Dogs and cats causing a nuisance

• Dogs and cats in prohibited areas

• Unattended, off leash and roaming dogs