Help with barking dogs

We have a guide on how to deal with barking dogs(PDF, 558KB).

Here are your next steps:

Step 1: talk to the dog owner

If barking is becoming an issue, start by speaking with your neighbour.

Your neighbours may not be aware of the problem if the dog is only barking when they are out.

If your neighbour takes no action or does not agree that there is a problem, contact us with your complaint.

Step 2: lodge a complaint with Council

Contact us and confidentially let us know:

  • your name, address and phone number
  • address of the offending dog(s)
  • the breed/colour of the offending dog(s)
  • if you have spoken to the owner of the dog(s)
  • when you believe the dog(s) barking is an issue
  • any other information you feel maybe useful.

Let us know by calling 9490 4222

Council’s response: what happens next?

Before investigating, we will contact the dog owner to tell them we have received a complaint about a barking dog. We include information about barking dogs and some possible solutions.

We find that many dog owners respond positively.

If the problem persists, you will be asked to monitor and log the situation for 2 weeks or longer and to record it.

Record everything in a barking dog diary

Once the diary has been completed, a statutory declaration must be attached to the diary, signed and witnessed by an appropriate person.

Find out how to write a statutory declaration with Department of Justice: Statutory declarations.

Contact us

For more information about and to request a barking dog diary be sent out, contact our Local Laws team on 9490 4222.

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