Barking Dogs, Neighbours and your local Council
Local Council responses vary in each state but, you do have rights. Hope the below helps you with some steps to follow get a good outcome with barking dogs and neighbours.
Some recommendations
• Try to communicate with your neighbour first.
• Block the dog's view
• Use a dog ultrsonic training device
• Contact your local counciil (Keep a diary for 2 weeks)
• See your state below and contact your local council to lodge a complaint
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. https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/noise/neighbourhood-noise/dealing-with-barking-dogs or NSW Dept of Planning and Evnironment https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/questions/neighbours-barking-dog
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 13 22 81
https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/pets-and-wildlife/domestic-animals/animal-nuisance
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. https://forms.brisbane.qld.gov.au/report-it-barking-dog-complaint
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.
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
https://lawhandbook.sa.gov.au/ch31s11s10.php
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.
https://www.devonport.tas.gov.au/live/residents/pets-animals/nuisance-animals/
WA
The Dog Act empowers local governments to take action 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.
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 10pm 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
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To stop a neighbour's dog from barking excessively in Australia, you can follow these steps:
Talk to your neighbour: Be polite and 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 a sonic training device. Dog whistles and sonic training devices emit a high-pitched sound that can be heard by dogs but not by humans. When the dog barks, you can blow the whistle or use the training device to startle them. This may help them to stop barking.
Contact your local council. If you have tried all of 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.
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.