Barking dogs

Dogs are an important and much-loved part of our community. However, excessive barking can cause stress to others. The good news is, many barking issues can be resolved quickly and amicably.

Our barking dog kit(PDF, 2MB) is designed to support dog owners and neighbours with tips to reduce barking and a step-by-step guide to follow if excessive barking continues.

Report a barking dog

Before you make a complaint about a barking dog, let the owner of the dog know. If you can't resolve the issue, you can report it to Council.

Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their dogs do not bark in a way that causes a nuisance to others. For barking to be considered a nuisance, it must:

  • be persistent over a period of time, and
  • unreasonably interfere with a person’s normal activities.

How to report

Email

Step 1.Let the dog owner know

They may not even be aware of the problem, and this gives them a chance to fix it.

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your neighbour in person, you can use the letter template(PDF, 134KB) from our barking dog kit.

Step 2.Let us know

If the issue is not resolved, report the barking dog to Council by calling 9433 3111 or emailing nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au.

Include your name, address and contact details so that a member of our team can contact you.

Step 3.Council reviews the report

A council officer will review the complaint.

If Council determines that the barking is causing an unreasonable disturbance, we will issue a formal notice to the dog's owner. 

If the problem persists, Council may proceed with legal action.

Contact us

Phone

03 9433 3111

Email

nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

Location

34 Civic Drive
Greensborough
3088
View map

Download the barking dog kit

barking-dog-kit-image.png

 
Our barking dog kit(PDF, 2MB) includes tips to reduce barking, and a step-by-step guide to follow if excessive barking continues.

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