Barking dogs
Barking is a normal and reasonable behaviour for dogs.
It is one of the ways that dogs communicate that they are:
- Playful
- Bored
- Hungry
- Thirsty
- Lonely
- Anxious
How much a dog barks is mostly determined by the training the dog has received. However, some breeds are more vocal than others.
Resolving noise pollution attributed to a dog
If you are disturbed by the noise from your neighbour’s dog, there are a number of things you can do.
First, try to solve the problem by talking it over with your neighbour. They may not have realised that their dog is causing a problem, particularly if it happens while there is nobody at home.
If this is not possible or the matter is still not resolved, you can contact Council’s Environment Division Customer Service Team during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm) on (02) 9847 6853 to make a complaint.
You will need to provide your:
- Name
- Address
- Contact details
- The address of the dog that is causing the noise nuisance
- Information on when the barking is ocurring
You may be provided with a diary sheet for recording barking incidents over a minimum fourteen day period. Once a diary sheet is returned to Council, a Council Officer will conduct site visits, based on the information and times provided in the diary, to determine if a noise nuisance exists.
An authorised officer of Council must be satisfied that a dog is a nuisance to take any enforcement action.