Nuisance Dogs and Cats

Nuisance Dogs

A dog is considered to be a nuisance by council if it displays any of the following undesirable behaviour:

1. Is habitually at large. This means that your dog consistently and regularly escapes the confines of the property where it is usually kept and roams on public land unattended, or
2. Makes a noise, by barking or otherwise, that persistently occurs or continues to such a degree or extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises, or
3. repeatedly defecates on property (other than a public place) outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept, or
4. repeatedly runs at or chases any person, animal (other than vermin) or vehicle, or
5. endangers the health of any person or animal (other than vermin), or
6. Repeatedly cause substantial damage to anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.

If you believe that there is a nuisance dog in your area the first thing you should do is to try and talk to your neighbour. Often owners are unaware of their dogs’ behaviour when they are not home or that their dog causes a problem to you. By discussing it with them it gives them the opportunity to resolve the issue before it escalates any further.

If discussions with your neighbour fail and there has been no change in the dogs’ behaviour, then you can contact a Community Justice Centre. These centres arrange for a mediator to assist you in negotiations with your neighbour regarding the issue and aims for a resolution that both parties are happy with. This is a cost free service to the public and has a 95% success rate.*

If the nuisance behaviour involved is barking, then another option is to contact council and ask for a “Barking Dog Incident Sheet” or download the form here. This form needs to be filled out for two consecutive weeks (14 days) and returned to council promptly. Council will investigate the complaint and determine whether the dog in question is in fact a nuisance and act accordingly. You will be advised of councils’ decision on closing of the investigation.