The most common animal noise nuisance complaints received by Council concerns dogs and roosters.
Is a barking dog causing you a problem? You might think it is normal for dogs to bark; however, constant barking usually means the dog could be bored, lonely, frustrated or ill.
Barking dogs are a nuisance and are not good for neighbourly relations. To avoid making a report, you can try to solve this issue by discussing the issue with your neighbour.
Consider these points when discussing a barking dog:
- The owner may not realise that the barking is causing a nuisance to other people.
- The dog may only bark when the owners are not home. The owner may not hear the barking from various areas of the house.
- The owner may be a heavy sleeper and not woken by the dog barking.
Make a complaint about barking dogs or crowing roosters
If you need to make a complaint, contact us. Please view the documents below for assistance.
The complaint process:
- Complainant to complete a ‘Noise Diary’ detailing the times and duration of the nuisance noise.
- Council evaluates the complaint and conducts a neighbourhood survey in relation to the nuisance noise.
- If support is received for the complaint, an Abatement Notice is issued to the animal owner requiring action to be taken within 14 days to stop the nuisance.
- Letter is sent to the complainant advising of the Abatement Notice.
- If the animal is still a nuisance after 14 days, the complainant may need to complete another Noise Diary detailing the times and duration of the noise nuisance.
- Council evaluates the further complaint, conducts another neighbourhood survey and also a static observation.
- If the animal is still a nuisance, the animal owner can be liable for infringement fines or be issued with a notice to remove the animal.
