Barking Dogs

Information about barking dogs and where you can get assistance.

dog

Barking Dog Laws in NSW

While barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, excessive barking is a behavioural problem which needs to be addressed for both the wellbeing of your dog and your neighbours.

As a dog owner, you are responsible for making sure your dog does not create a nuisance by barking excessively. Understanding why dogs bark makes it easier to identify ways to reduce excessive barking.

Why do dogs bark excessively?

  • Dogs are social animals and often bark due to loneliness
  • Separation anxiety from owner
  • Boredom and frustration
  • Fear of people, objects, noise, weather conditions or other dogs
  • Feeling threatened towards themselves or their territory
  • Sick or injured
  • Certain breeds have a reputation for barking

Local councils throughout Australia receive thousands of barking dog complaints every year, many of which are frivolous or even unfounded. While it can be a tedious and frustrating process, you will have to undertake all of these steps before you can take legal action against the owner or carer of a barking dog.

Are you troubled by barking, take these steps to take action

Step 1 - Talk to your neighbour

If you haven’t done already, try talking to the owner of the dog and discuss the nuisance barking, it may be as simple as chatting over the fence.  Your neighbour may not be aware that the dog is barking.  In most cases your neighbour will do the right thing and cooperate, in which case move to step 2. If this proves to be unsuccessful move to step 3 below. 

You can also use a Dear Neighbour(PDF, 149KB) letter.

Step 2 - Wait for a while

If the owner agrees to do something about the baking, wait a few weeks to see if they have been successful in the efforts. Give them feedback, let them know what has been working or what has not been working. It's in the best interest of a harmonious neighbourhood that the matter is sorted directly by those affected.

 

Step 3 - Contact LawAccess NSW

If the barking continues after you've discussed the matter with your neighbour, contact LawAccess NSW (Legal Aid):

Resources on Legal Aid's website include guided pathways, sample forms, agreements, and other documents, to help you:

  1. apply for a Noise Abatement Order
    or
  2. prepare for Council’s rangers to investigate the matter.

Apply for a Noise Abatement Order

You can apply to the local court for a Noise Abatement Order. If the court decides the barking dog is causing offensive noise, or that it's likely to recur, the court can order the dog's owner to:

  • stop the noise within a specific time
    or
  • prevent the noise from recurring.

Step 4 - Contact Council

If your attempts to resolve the matter have failed and the noise continues, you can contact Council for help. Please provide:

  • documents from the LawAccess NSW website or any correspondence with Legal Aid NSW
  • the details of all parties involved
  • written statements from more than one neighbour affected.

Council will investigate the matter and assess whether it can take action based on the evidence, that the noise from barking:

  • occurs persistently 
    or
  • continues so that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort, or convenience of residents
    and
  • affects many residents, and is not a private dispute between two parties.

If the barking continues, fill in the Barking Dog Diary, this enables Rangers greater access to complied information.  It is up to those issuing a complaint to provide proof that a dog is barking excessively and being a  nuisance, which can warrant legal intervention.

A detailed diary must be kept, listing occurrences of dog barking, its duration and other details.  After 7 days return the diary back to council.

Resolving a barking dog issue can be a lengthy process and requires the cooperation of the complainant and the dog's owner. Council cannot remove a dog from a premises. We will work with both parties to improve the situation utilising regulatory tools available under the Companion Animals Act where required to improve the outcome.

What next:

  • If the investigation reveals that the problem is significant a Nuisance Dog Order will be served. Failure to comply with the order may result in significant fines being issued to the dog owner.
  • If there is a lack of evidence the complainant will be advised to seek their own mediation or seek a Noise Abatement Order from the local court.

Step 5 - Nuisance Orders

The Companion Animals Act 1998 regards persistent barking in a similar way to straying or other dog anti-social behaviour. If we identify a serious or ongoing problem with barking, we may issue a Nuisance Order. This order requires the owner to stop the dog from barking persistently.

If Council issues you with a Nuisance Order and your dog continues to bark, you may be liable for a fine. For the benefit of yourself, your neighbour, and the health and wellbeing of your dog, it's important that you stop it barking excessively. Most of the time, you can do this through training, and by ensuring your dog is well nourished, exercised regularly, and not bored.

 

Important Notes

  • Council cannot remove dogs but can enforce regulations.
  • Cooperation between neighbours is key.
  • Proper care, training, and stimulation often resolve barking issues.
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