How do I report a barking dog?

Any queries or complaints should be lodged with Council on (03) 440 0056. This is a 24/7 service and our customer services team or after hours service team will connect with our Dog Control team to follow up.

Barking dogs can be a real cause of concern to neighbours either at a nuisance level, or by causing serious disruption to their daily activities or to their sleep. Owners are responsible for their dog's barking and need to take the necessary steps to minimise the effect on neighbours.

Complaints are kept confidential and our dog control offices will work proactively with the dog owner(s) to educate in the first instance, as they may not know the dog is barking or howling.

If education on its own does not work, the council's contracted dog control officers may respond to complaints of persistent barking/howling by:

• entering the property where the dog is kept (except the house), at a reasonable hour, to inspect the dog's living conditions; and/or
• issue a written warning requiring the person to take all reasonable actions to cease the disturbance; or
• if necessary, impound a dog if a further complaint is received about continual barking or howling.

Council has 'barking collars' that can be loaned out free of charge to assist dog owners with training.