Dog issues

Barking dogs

Barking dogs can be distressing for neighbours and disruptive to the wider community. Dogs must not bark persistently or excessively.

Recommended steps

Follow these steps if there's a barking dog in your neighbourhood.

Talk to your neighbour (where appropriate)

If a dog is barking excessively, consider approaching the dog’s owner first. In many cases, owners may not be aware that their dog’s barking is affecting others.

You can download and complete our barking dog letter template and provide it to your neighbour to formally notify them of the issue.

For more information, refer to our barking dog factsheet for neighbours.

If the dog owner agrees to take action, allow a few weeks to see whether their efforts have been successful. Your ongoing feedback may assist the owner to better understand and manage the dog’s behaviour.

You can also contact the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria, which provides free dispute resolution to to help neighbours sort out problems such as barking dogs.

Complete a noise log

A noise log allows you to show the pattern of the barking incidents.

To lodge a complaint, you must first record the barking behaviour in a log for a minimum of 10 days, as this information forms the primary evidence Council relies upon to investigate the matter and may be presented as evidence in court.

You will be able to attach the completed noise log to the online report form.

Download noise log(PDF, 242KB)

Report the issue to Council

If you are not comfortable approaching the owner, or if the barking continues after reasonable time has been given to resolve the issue, you may report the matter to Council. Please include as much information as possible so we can fully investigate the complaint.

You can choose to remain anonymous or not complete a noise log(PDF, 242KB) when submitting a barking dog report, but Council will have limited options and may not be able to take action or inform you of the outcome.

Please note that Council will not disclose your name and contact details unless the matter proceeds to court and not without your prior consent.

Report a barking dog

What happens next?

Once the completed form is received, Council will review the information provided and contact the dog owner to discuss the barking and offer guidance on ways to manage the behaviour.

Where the barking persists and sufficient evidence is available, Council may take further action in accordance with the relevant legislation.

Tips to reduce barking

If your dog is barking excessively, consider the following:

  • Ensure your dog receives adequate daily exercise.
  • Spend sufficient time interacting with your dog.
  • Provide appropriate toys to prevent boredom.
  • Modify your property to limit visual triggers such as pedestrians or passing vehicles.
  • If the cause of the barking is unclear, seek advice from your veterinarian or a qualified dog behaviourist.

For more information, see our barking dog factsheet for owners.

Dog attacks

We take dog attacks seriously and encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you or your pet has been attacked by a dog.

Reporting an attack

Contact Council

If the attack is still occurring or the dog is still uncontained, a Council Ranger or after-hours employee will attend.

We can be contacted on 1300 653 356, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5:30pm (excluding public holidays).

If an attack occurs outside of these hours, your call will automatically be directed to our emergency after-hours service.

You can also report a dog attack or aggressive animal behaviour through our online contact form.

Make a record of relevant information

Council aims to commence investigation of reported dog attacks as soon as practicable, and generally within 24 to 72 hours of a report being received, subject to operational demands and the nature of the incident. We ask that in the meantime you make a record of everything relevant to the incident including:

  • details of the attack (time, location etc.)
  • description of the attacking dog and its owner
  • photos
  • contact details of any witnesses.

Assessment

Council will begin an investigation of the reported dog attack.

We will work with you to gather evidence, and you may be asked to provide the following:

  • statement
  • photos of any injuries to you or your pet
  • description of the attacking dog
  • contact details of the owner, their address or vehicle registration
  • records from your doctor or vet.

Response

Once all the evidence has been collected, Council will then decide what action (if any) will be taken against the accused dog and their owner. These actions may be:

  • infringement notices
  • official warning notices
  • court action.

What happens next?

Complaints related to dog attacks are assessed on a case-by-case basis. A Council Officer will contact you to discuss your concerns, and further information will be given based on your individual circumstances. Please note: Council will not recover money spent on vet or doctor's bills as this is a civil matter.

Information for dog owners

Legal requirements for dog owners

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all dog owners must securely confine dogs to the property. This means your yard must have a closed gate, and an escape-proof fence that your dog cannot jump, get under or through.

Where the owner of a dog is under the age of 18 years, the parent or guardian of that owner will be deemed the legal owner of the dog and subject to any penalties/prosecutions.

You may face legal consequences if your dog rushes at or chases someone.

If your dog rushes at or chases someone, you could be fined, and your local council can declare your dog to be a 'menacing dog'. This means you will have to leash and muzzle it in public at all times including in any dog off leash area.

If you do not comply with these requirements, council can then declare your dog to be a 'dangerous dog'. There are very strict controls on the housing, exercise and ownership of dangerous dogs.

Legal consequences in the event of an attack

You are liable if your dog attacks a person or animal outside your property, or someone trying to get to your front door. You are also liable if your dog attacks someone who has been invited onto your property.

An attack by your dog can lead to court action. If convicted, owners can face substantial fines. This is in addition to damages, which may potentially be thousands of dollars. In such situations, dogs are often ordered by a Magistrate to be destroyed or declared dangerous. Strict ownership controls are imposed on dangerous dogs for the rest of their lives.

Other reasons to confine your dog in the backyard

Apart from the legal consequences, an attack can be very distressing for all involved. This is particularly the case if the victim is a an elderly person or a child who is badly injured.

If securely confined, your dog will be safe from traffic injuries or fights with other dogs. It will also be prevented from wandering and becoming lost.

It's easy to prevent most dog attacks in public places, just by confining dogs.

So for the safety of your dog and everyone else, remember–confine your dog. Backyard is best!

Dangerous, Menacing or Restricted Dog Breeds

Dangerous Dogs

A Dangerous Dog is a dog that the Council has declared dangerous because it has caused the death of or serious injury to a person or animal by biting or attacking. Councils can also declare dogs to be dangerous if the dog is a menacing dog and its owner has received at least two infringement notices for failing to comply with restraint requirements, or if the dog has been declared dangerous under corresponding legislation in another State/Territory, or for any other reason prescribed.

Guard Dog

A Guard Dog is a dog that is kept for the purpose of guarding non residential premises and is automatically a dangerous dog under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Menacing Dog

A Menacing dog is a dog that the Council has declared Menacing due to it rushing or chasing a person, or causing a non serious bite injury to a person or animal. "Rush at" means that the dog has approached a person within three metres in a menacing manner, this includes displaying aggressive behaviour such as snarling, growling and raised hackles.

Restricted Breed Dog

Restricted breed dogs are defined as dogs that are, or fit the Victorian approved standard for an:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
  • Perro de Presa Canario (or Canary Mastiff)
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Japanese Tosa (or Tosa Inu)
  • Fila Brasileiro (or Brazilian Mastiff).
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