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Barking Dog Complaint
Barking is a dog's natural means of communication and often signifies its alertness to danger or intruders. However, a dog that persistently barks in a manner which is not considered to be normally habitual in dogs constitutes a nuisance.
If a dog barks continually without reason, the cause may be lack of training, insufficient exercise, loneliness, inadequate shelter, ill health or deliberate or unintentional provocation by people or roaming dogs.
The City of Melville fully appreciates that a barking dog can often severely disrupt people’s lives and erodes their quality of life. However, the treatment and the solution of a barking dog is often a lengthy, difficult and complex issue to deal with.
The laws relating to an alleged dog nuisance are prescribed by State Legislation and local governments are bound to follow that process. The Dog Act states that:-
Where (3) three persons, of whom two occupy different premises, are prepared to sign a complaint in the prescribed form alleging the existence of a nuisance created by a dog the local government may serve on the occupier of the premises on which that dog is kept a notice requiring that person to abate the nuisance within 14 days, and if the nuisance is not so abated the local government may institute proceedings.
You may be requested to assist in collecting the necessary evidence required to issue a cease and abate notice by keeping a “Barking Diary”. These diaries need to be as accurate as possible for a period of 14 days in the first instance.
Residents are encouraged to try to improve the barking situation by:
- Politely speak to the dog owner and advise that their dog is causing a nuisance or
- Leave a note in the letter box giving the owners some information when the problem occurs.
Click here to download a Bark Notice template.