Nuisance animals
Barking dogs
Wandering animals

Nuisance animals

Council receives a number of complaints from members of the public for several types of nuisances including;

• Noise from animals
• Roaming animals
• Dogs off leash
• Excessive numbers of animals being kept on a property.

Before making a complaint to Council, you should consider:

• If you can talk to your neighbour about the nuisance? Council advocates neighbours talking with each other where an animal is causing a nuisance, we do understand however that this may be difficult. 
• If you can write them a note about the nuisance?
• If there is anything that you are doing to triggering the animal to cause the nuisance (for example, is your cat walking on the fence and making a neighbour's dog bark) and if you are able to modify your surroundings to prevent the nuisance?

Neighbour Handout - Barking Dog   Neighbour Handout - Roaming Dog   Neighbour Handout - Roaming Cat   

If you have taken steps to resolve the problem and have been unsuccessful, Council may become involved.

Nuisance complaints escalate depending on the circumstances of the complaint, Council generally follows the below process:

1st complaint - Letter sent to the alleged animal owner and complainant acknowledging the complaint.  If it is a noise nuisance, the complainant will receive an Animal Noise Nuisance Kit and Diary along with their letter. The complainant is to complete and return this to Council in order to progress to the 2nd complaint process.
2nd complaint - An officer will liaise with both parties and investigate further.
3rd complaint - An officer will undertake a survey of the surrounding area to determine if other residents are being affected.

Depending on the circumstances a Directo to Remedy may be issued, this direction requires the owner to take action to prevent the nuisance.

Barking dogs

Barking is normal behaviour for dogs but excessive barking can become annoying for neighbours and the community.

Barking is one of the most common dog behavioural problems Council is asked to act upon. The owner/responsible person is obligated to restrict their dog from causing a barking nuisance. Council encourages pet owners to identify and address their dog's excessive barking before it results in an official complaint.

There are many reasons why an animal may be barking, including:

• Contact seeking - dogs can be very vocal animals as barking and howling is the way in which they communicate;
• Boredom - walking your dog keeps you and your dog fit. The amount of exercise required depends on the breed or size of the dog. Also, being left out for long periods of time can cause frustration and boredom. As with all friendships, the success of a relationship between dogs and their owners depends on finding time to spend together;
• Separation anxiety - the animal may be very dependent on other animals or humans; when taken away the animal may become stressed;
• Excitement - something nearby increases the dog's state of arousal;
• Territorial defence - your animal may become very protective of your property which sometimes portrays the animal as being aggressive when people and other animals walk past.
• Fear or physical discomfort - your dog may suffer from fleas, worms or other diseases that may cause discomfort and cause barking and whining. Examine dogs regularly and seek veterinary attention if necessary.
• Lack of training - Your dog will accept kind but firm discipline. Take it to obedience training before it develops bad barking habits.

All possible steps should be taken to minimise the nuisance being caused.

• Assess the situation; determine what the main cause is and how to reduce this.
• A good start is to ask your neighbours if the dog is barking while you are not at home. The neighbours may be able to give you more information in relation to how often and when the dog is barking and what it may be barking at.

If minimal steps are not taken to stop the animal from barking, and the alleged barking nuisance is proven to be a breach of Council's Local Law, you may be subject to an on-the-spot fine.

RSPCA - My dog is barking excessively RSPCA - What causes dogs to bark

If your dog is barking excessively, you can try

• Filling in gaps and cracks in the fence
• Blocking the dog's view of people passing by
• Keeping the dog inside or in an enclosed area if the dog barks at regular disturbances such as rubbish trucks.

If the owner of the dog agrees to do something about the barking, wait a few weeks to see if they have been successful in their efforts. Your support and ongoing feedback about the dog's behaviours can assist the dog owner to resolve the problem.

If you are not comfortable approaching the owner when the dog barks excessively, or if the dog continues to bark after the owner has had time to resolve the problem, you can report the issue to Council. For Council to investigate the matter, you will be asked the exact location and details of the dog, including house number and street. 

Wandering animals

A lot of complaints are received from persons about wandering animals impacting on their lifestyle. Animals are required to be kept in a sufficient enclosure, meeting the requirements of a Proper Enclosure under Schedule 8 of Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011. 

As well as animals found wandering on Council property, property owners can impound restrain dogs found wandering on their own properties. If you find a stray animal, you may choose to restrain the animal, and make contact with Council to arrange the return of the animal to its owner or collection for impoundment.

Cats must also be controlled so as not to cause a nuisance on other people's property. Traps are available for hire subject to strict guidelines upon request to Council. Every effort will be made not to issue traps to neighbours known to be vindictive.  Detention by Council officers will only occur upon complaint and there will be no established street patrol.

Roaming dogs factsheet Roaming cats factsheet