Council has provided below some advice for dog owners and information for residents on how to make a complaint about a barking dog.
Advice for dog owners
If you own a dog that barks excessively, there are positive steps you can take to prevent the dog from barking too much and to reduce and to prevent offensive noise to your neighbours.
The Barking Dog Fact Sheet(PDF, 99KB) provides good advice on caring for your dog and provides an insight as to why your dog is barking. It also explains the law applying to noise from dogs and provides information that is intended to make life better for you, your dog, and your neighbours.
Solving an issue with a barking dog
If you experience unwanted noise such as excessive barking or other problems associated with dogs in your local neighbourhood, there are a number of things you can do.
Step 1: Talk to your neighbour
Contact your neighbour first and calmly explain to them what is happening and how it is affecting you. The owner may not be aware that their animal is causing a nuisance. If you have ideas on how to resolve the issue you could suggest this to the owner.
Step 2: Seek mediation
If the first approach does not work there are community justice centres available to help mediate between you and your neighbour. They may be able to help you come up with a resolution.
Step 3: Lodge a complaint with Council
If you are unable to resolve the animal nuisance issue by talking with the pet owner, and through mediation - a complaint can be made to council through a Service Request.
More information
Community Justice Centre
EPA - fact sheet on barking dog