Nuisance Barking

Dear Neighbour - Nuisance Barking Letter

Form & Barking Dog Diary - Complaint as to a Nuisance Created by a Dog

Why do dogs bark?

Barking is a form of communication for dogs, they can be expressing excitement, boredom, stress, anxiety or defending their territory.

How can I reduce my dogs barking?

Try to establish the cause. If you are able to determine the cause, you will need to commit to a strategy to address it. Behaviour can be changed through training, mental stimulation, socialising your dog, addressing medical issues or further owner understanding of dog behaviour. Consistency and rewarding of good behaviour is key. If you find that the behaviour doesn’t change, engaging with an Animal Behaviour Consultant can be beneficial.

What can I do about nuisance barking from a neighbouring dog?

If you are concerned about the level of noise a dog in your area is making, try to resolve the issue by speaking to the owner first. Many times owners are unaware of the behaviour and this can give them the opportunity to amend the situation without further incident. Open and friendly conversations can often lead to a solution. If the matter cannot be resolved directly, a formal complaint to the Shire with supporting evidence can be made in writing (see above Form & Barking Dog Diary - Complaint as to a Nuisance Created by a Dog).

What can the Shire do about nuisance barking?

When an official complaint is received, the Shire will ask the complainant to complete a Barking Dog Diary if not done so already (see above Form & Barking Dog Diary - Complaint as to a Nuisance Created by a Dog). The Shire will assess the evidence and if applicable approach the owner of the dog to assist in resolving the issue. The complainant will be asked to complete another further diaries to support the ongoing complaint.

If the issue continues and the dog’s barking persists to interfere with peace, comfort or convenience, Rangers may issue a notice to the owner of the dog, legally requiring the owner to take all reasonable steps to reduce the noise. If the issue persists, further action may be taken.