Prevention
Dog owners must provide proper care, attention, and facilities. This will help to prevent unhealthy conditions and nuisances to neighbours.
Barking or Howling
Barking is a natural behaviour for a dog and they bark for a reason. Legally, dogs are allowed to bark, but not so that they create a nuisance by persistent loud barking or howling.
Council receives many complaints about barking dogs. Often the level of barking or howling is not bad enough to be an offence under the Dog Control Act.
What to do
Often dog owners away from home do not realise that their dog's persistent barking or howling is a nuisance to others. Council encourages concerned neighbours to first talk to their neighbours about this problem. Sometimes the problem can be solved without the need for a Dog Control Officer to become involved.
What should I do if my dog is barking or howling?
You need to act. Some things to consider are:
- Is your dog bored?
- Does your dog need attention
- Is your dog constantly chained up? Dogs need daily exercise.
- Is your dog unwell?
- Does the dog's environment meet its needs? For example, food, shelter, water.
- Does your dog have a full view of movements that may cause unnecessary barking or howling?
Dog Control Officers can give advice and assistance is your dog is causing a barking or howling nuisance.
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