Barking Dogs

Dogs that bark continually can be annoying for both you and your neighbours. If your dog is barking it may be because it:

• is bored;
• needs exercise;
• wants attention;
• may suffer from separation anxiety;
• lacks shelter, water, food;
• needs veterinary attention.

There are a number of things you can do to help stop your dog barking:

• walk your dog for at least 15 minutes each day;
• leave toys out for your dog to play with when you're not there;
• make sure your dog has plenty of water, food and shelter from sun and rain - and check them regularly;
• play with your dog when you are home;
• try an anti-barking dog collar (available from your pet shop);
• make sure your dog is regularly wormed and receives veterinary attention when necessary.

If all of these fail to stop your dog barking, you may need to seek advice from an animal behaviour specialist. Your local vet may also help you to find some answers.

Animal waste must be picked up in public areas. Animal faeces poses a health threat to the community and is a serious environmental hazard. Failure to pick up after your pet can attract a substantial fine.

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If a cat is found attacking native wildlife, causing too much noise or damaging property, they are considered to be a nuisance under the Companion Animals Act.

Cat owners may purchase a "bell collar" to reduce the risk of any attack on wildlife. If you find a cat involved in any of these activities on your property, you have the right to seize the cat, and you are bound by law to take proper care of the animal until you either return it to its owner or deliver it to the Council Pound.

Cats that roam or stray are not considered nuisance animals under the Act and you may not seize them or take them to the Pound.

Great Lakes Council is the local impounding authority under the Companion Animals Act 1998 and may impound dogs and cats under certain circumstances. If you have found a stray dog, contact Council on 02 6591 7222. Council can collect the animal providing it has been restrained, when Council staff are available. Your local vet is not authorised to accept these animals.

What happens when my pet is impounded?

If your animal is identifiable (microchipped or has a tag with contact details) then Council will endeavour to contact you with notice that your animal has been impounded.

If Council cannot identify the animal, it will remain impounded for a minimum of 7 days to give the owner an opportunity to collect it.

If the animal is identified by Council, it is required to remain in Council custody for a period of 14 days, unless recovered by the owner.

Prior to any animal leaving the Pound, the prescribed fees including impounding, microchipping and registration (if applicable) will need to be paid.

The animal may be sold or destroyed if it is not claimed. All enquiries regarding impounding should be directed to Council's Animal Control Officer on 02 6591 7222.

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• Animal not permanently identified (microchip)
• Sell animal not permanently identified (microchip)
• Animal not registered
• Not notify change in registration/identification
• Give false/misleading information to Register
• Dog without collar and tags
• Dog not under effective control
• Greyhound/prescribed dog not muzzled
• Fail to remove dog faeces
• Fail to comply with nuisance dog order
• Deny 'assistance animal' entry
• Fail to take seized animal to owner/pound
• Interfere with permanent identification

Council may issue a nuisance order if your dog is repeatedly:-

• Habitually roaming the neighbourhood
• Making a noise through barking
• Defecating on other people's property
• Chasing a person, animal or vehicle
• Causing damage to property

The order will require you to prevent the behaviours causing the problem. You may be fined up to $880 for non compliance.

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