Barking Dogs - City of Burnside - SA.Gov.au

informedBarking DogsBarking Dog Complaint KitDogs are an important part of our local community but dogs that bark excessively canbecome a source of irritation for neighbours and others using the local environment.Our best friend can, if it barks continually, become an intrusion and create frictionbetween neighbours.City of Burnside receives numerous complaints regarding nuisance noise frombarking dogs. Approaching the dog’s owner in a neighbourly manner and discussingyour concerns with them sometimes easily resolves this type of complaint.The dog’s owner may not realise that the barking is causing an annoyance toother people.The dog may only bark excessively when the owner is not home.The owner may not hear the barking from various areas within the house.The owner may be a very sound sleeper and not woken when the dog barks.www.burnside.sa.gov.au

Neighbourhood CommunicationNeighbours can help each other to solvebarking problems by communicating to eachother their concerns and needs. Neighbourscan assist by identifying the reasons forexcessive barking and noting what ishappening in the area when the dog isbarking.Don’t forget, the owner of the offending dogmay not know the animal is causing anuisance.Approaching the dog’s owner should be thefirst step when the problem arises and stateyour case clearly and politely. He or she maynot be aware of the barking situation.Provide the dog owner or keeper with a copyof the diary contained in this brochure.If the dog owner is unapproachable or youare not comfortable approaching them, tryplacing the ‘Dear Neighbour’ lettercontained at the bottom of this document intotheir letterbox including ticking any tips andtimes that may help resolve the complaint.If the neighbour takes no action or does notagree that a problem exists, you shouldcomplete the “Barking Complaint Forms” andreturn to Council for an Animal ManagementOfficer to investigate.Lodge a complaint with CouncilTo lodge a complaint with Council youmust first show that you have spokenwith your neighbour and have tried toresolve the problem with them.Then you can start the procedure for lodginga barking dog complaint as follows:1. Identify the correct address of theoffending dog;2. Complete the ‘Barking Dog ComplaintForms’ in this document;3. Keep a diary of the dog’s barking habitsfor a period of (7) days, noting the date,start time, number of barks, timeceased and total number of barks inthat time period;4. Forward to Council the Barking DogComplaint Forms and your completed(7) day diaries signed by you;5. Continue to keep a diary of the dog’sbarking habits, this will monitor whetherthe problem continues or improves as aresult of any action taken. It can also beused as further evidence for expiations,orders or legal proceedings should thisbe required.In most cases the solution can be found bycommunication between neighbours andshould be sought prior to lodging a complaintwith your Council.

Council ActionCouncil’s Animal Management Officer will:Study the complaint forms and diariesto establish barking in attempt to try todetermine the reason for the dog’sbarking;Confirm that other nominated residentsare being affected by the dog’s barkingby a survey;Advise the dog owner of the complaint,discuss possible solutions and informthem of their responsibilities.If the Officer believes there is a problem withthe dog, the Officer will work with the owneruntil they believe that the owner has doneeverything possible to help correct thebarking behaviour.What happens if the dog owner doesn'tcooperate?If the dog owner refuses to cooperate theprocess becomes more formal.Council has the power to expiate (fine) orserve a Barking dog order (a legaldocument) on the dog owner to takereasonable steps to abate the barking. Theythen have 14 days to indicate theirintentions.After this time Council may request that youand other affected neighbours completefurther barking diaries. It is very importantthat you do so as this may be evidenceproduced in court.Legal ActionLegal action is only considered if all otherefforts from Council have failed to resolvethe barking.Council will only commence legal action if:The owner of the dog is notcomplying with Council’s request,andThe dog is a problem, andThe complainant is prepared tosupport their evidence in court.If, at any time, Council believes you arenot taking an interest in the complaint andhave not done what Council has requestedof you, the complaint will be terminatedand you will have to take civil action.Legal action is not automatic and dependson a legal assessment of each case andevidence provided. Should court actionproceed you may be asked to appear as awitness.If you do not wish to do so, Council mayterminate its investigation.It may also take time to obtain a hearingdate at court, during this time you mustkeep an up to date record of the barkingand the effect it has on you.Should court action be successful, Councilwill ask the Magistrate to order that specificcontrols be placed on the owner the dogto take certain actions to reduce the occurrenceof barking.If we do not receive all the diaries or ifthey are incomplete, Council is unable toproceed further.

Application for the Abatement of a Barking Dog1. Applicants detailsGiven name:Family name:Street address:Postcode:Postal address:Postcode:Home telephone:Business telephone:Mobile:2. Dog descriptionAddress dog(s) kept at:Postcode:Owner’s name:1 st breed of dog: Colour:2 nd breed of dog Colour:3. Barking dog detailsDescribe the dog’s barking and why it is a nuisance to you (use the checklist below to assist you)How often does the dog bark?How long does the barking continue for?What sort of noise does the dog make?Does it bark at certain times of the day?Does it bark in response to passers-byor other stimulus?Where is the barking in relation to your property?Does the barking interfere with any of your normalactivities?Does the barking impact on your health or well being?How does the barking impact on other members ofYour household?Statement (You may attach a letter):

Have attempts been made to approach the dog owner to discuss the matter?(Council Dear Neighbour Letter)o Yes. How?o No. Why?How long do you estimate that this problem has been going for?4. DeclarationI hereby declare that all particulars given by me in this application are true and correct.I understand that my evidence may be used in court and I may be called upon for its accuracy.Signature:Date:

COUNCIL USE ONLYDate interview conducted:Date statement taken:Date other neighbours surveyed:Response from survey:Expiation numbers: # ## #Complaint:Enforcement order (if applicable) Barking Dog OrderDate:Delivery type (eg. Post):Reg. Post no:Proposed order issued:Compliance order issued:Appeal lodged:Court action::Authorised officer – A.M.OSignature:Date:

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Noise DiaryPlease complete the following diary by recording the noise times during the next 7days.Day: __________________________________ Date: _________________________________Start time Time Ceased Reason for Noise Intermittent/ConstantComplainant’s DetailsName:___________________________Date____________________Sign_________________

Dear Neighbour,You may not be aware but your dog is currently causing a noisenuisance in the neighbourhood by barking.I have discussed this problem with Burnside Council which hassuggested that as a first step, I express my concern to you, to allowyou the opportunity to rectify the situation without recording anofficial complaint against you on Council’s file.On the back of this letter is some information that may be of assistanceto you in resolving the problem.I have ticked the ones that may improve the barking.I have also listed times that barking is occuring.Your co-operation at this stage is all that is needed to avoid thismatter progressing any further.RegardsYour Neighbour

Some simple tips for reducing barkingIf the dog is barking at people or noises on the other side of a fence, move the dog toanother part of the yard, or put up a barrier to keep the dog away from that area.If the dog barks at regular disturbances such as children walking to school or rubbishtrucks, keep the dog inside or in an enclosed area at these times.If the dog races along a path or fence barking at passing distractions, put barriers orobstacles in the dog’s way to slow it down.Ensure that the dog has adequate exercise and obedience training.Make sure that the dog has food, water and shelter from the weather.If the dog is barking through gaps and cracks in the fence, fill them in.If the dog is barking at people it can see passing by, try blocking the dog’s view.An anti-barking collar may be useful for some, but not all, barking dogs. You canpurchase these from local pet stores or online.If the dogs barking at night consider keeping it inside.The dog may be bored. Consider hiding food around your garden, provide games ortoys, sandpits full of buried toys or bones.Make sure that you do not reward your dog for barking too much. Don’t let the dog insideor give it attention when it barks. Instead, give the dog attention when it is quiet.Remember, dogs bark for many reasons. If these simple tips do not help you, seek furtheradvice.Barking timesWeekdayWeekendFrom………………………am/pm to…………………………am/pmFrom………………………am/pm to……………………........am/pmwww.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au Lists Delta qualified dog trainers.www.dogssa.com.au Listscontacts and information about dog sport and obedience clubs.