Animal Control services

Dogs bark for lots of reasons - boredom, seeking attention, responding to someone coming onto your property, seeing cats or birds nearby or hearing other dogs and neighbours.

Here are some possible solutions to stop your dog barking:

• While you are away, keep your dog occupied with bones, toys, old blankets or material it can play with.
• Make sure your dog has a warm and dry shelter, with shade, plenty of water and feed it before you leave.
• Block your dog's view through gateways and fences, so it can't see people or animals outside the property.
• Fence off an area where the dog can run free, rather than having it confined or tied up.
• Leave a radio on at home.  It can help comfort a lonely dog.
• Exercise your dog every day away from the property, ideally before you leave for the day.
• Don't make a big fuss of your dog when arriving or leaving home - keep it low key.
• If your dog is particularly anxious about being left alone, arrange to leave it with family or friends.
• Use a 'doggy day care' or professional dog worker.

• Use a suitable command in a low voice to stop your dog barking.
• Create a distraction to stop the barking, such as a whistle or a shaker.
• Praise and reward your dog when it is quiet.

• From a neighbour: speak to the neighbour, apologise and explain that you will get advice to stop the problem.
• From an Animal Control officer: We can discuss ways to try and prevent the barking.  We are also happy to visit you at home.

You can solve most dog behavioural problems by putting some time into training and exercising your dog.

Take advantage of dog obedience classes in your area.  Our Animal Control Team can help with information on local clubs.

There are excellent books and websites about dog issues.  Your vet and pet stores may also be able to give you advice.

If nothing else works, you can try using a corrective device such as a barking collar.  A good quality collar used properly, can make a big difference.

• Name and contact details of the person reporting the incident and witness details.  Written statements may be requested from any person involved or present at the time of the incident.
• Name and address details of the dog owner (if known).
• Date and time of attack.
• Location of attack.
  
• Description and type of dog(s)
• Any photos or video footage of the incident

The Animal Control Team will investigate the attack and interview everyone involved, including the dog owner(s) and people present during the incident.  Written statements may also be requested.

The officers will also take photos of any wounds sustained by a person or animal involved in the dog attack.

There can be different outcomes to an investigation depending on the severity of the attack, the circumstances in which the attack occurred and the location at which it occurred. 

• a warning or an infringement (fine).
  
• classify the dog as dangerous or menacing.
  
• file a prosecution (if the offence or harm is significant) .
  
• impound the dog while a court decision is made.
• classify the owner as probationary or disqualify them from ownership.