Barking dogs and noisy animals
Council receives many requests to investigate noise from barking dogs. Before you contact Council, first try to talk with your neighbour.
Talk to your neighbour first
The dog's owner may not realise the barking is annoying you because:
- the dog may only bark a lot when the owner is away, or
- the owner may not hear the barking from areas inside the house.
Why dogs bark
Dogs bark for many reasons, and even though they appear to be ‘barking for no reason’ they are in fact trying to communicate something to their owner or anyone who is willing to pay attention.
The following are some of the main reasons why dogs bark:
- lack of exercise
- inadequate yard space
- boredom
- not enough human companionship
- inadequate shelter from weather conditions
- hunger or thirst
- a medical condition
- provocation
- disturbances
- changes to family structure, or
- movement outside the dog’s property.
Of course dogs also bark to alert their owners of trouble, such as an intruder entering the property or perhaps a fire. Remember, a dog’s idea of an ‘intruder’ may differ to that of the owner. It could include cats, possums, other dogs, or even birds flying across the property.
While it is acceptable for a dog to bark to warn its owner of an intruder, it is the owner’s responsibility to train the dog not to bark at ‘normal’ occurrences such as possums, cats or birds.
When choosing your pet you should select wisely as not all animals are suited for city living.
Other noisy animals
Some animals such as roosters, cockatoos and galahs have a tendency to crow early in the morning and become a nuisance to your neighbours. It is an offence to allow your animal to cause a nuisance to others.
Noisy animal complaints
If a dog continues to bark after you have contacted the owner, use Council's Barking Dog Booklet - Dealing with a Barking Dog (PDF 274Kb). The booklet contains information to assist you with the problem as well as a barking dog complaint form and diary.
Noisy animal complaints are not always resolved within a short time. Council officers work with the owner of the animal to try to resolve the situation by offering suggestions on how to reduce noise to an acceptable level.
