If you have a problem regarding the behaviour of your neighbour's pet, you can either:

• try to solve the problem by talking it over with your neighbour. They may not have realised that their animal is causing a problem
• contact Council to make a complaint

How do I make a complaint about an animal in my area

Please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling (02) 6767 5555 if you would like to report a barking dog, roaming animal or a dog attack. Ensure that you provide the following information:

• the address of where the dog resides
• a description of the dog
• details of the complaint, for example nuisance barking
• your name, address and a contact number for Council Rangers to contact you

What can I do about barking dogs

Council receives on average five hundred (500) complaints each year concerning barking dogs. If you have an issue with a barking dog there are several options available:

• you could try to approach the owner and advise them of the problem, they may not be aware that the dog is barking
• you also may wish to seek the assistance of the Community Justice Centre (CJC) to mediate a solution. The CJC can be contacted on 1800 990 777 or if you have a hearing impairment on 1800 671 964 (TTY) or www.cjc.nsw.gov.au
• you may contact Council by phoning (02) 6767 5555 and lodge a formal complaint regarding the barking

What happens when I make a formal complaint to Council about a dog that continuously barks

• when a formal complaint is received, the owner of the animal will be contacted as part of Council’s investigation.
• following the complaint, a four (4) week period will be given for the owners to take action to settle the dog from barking
• any complaint received after this four (4) week period, will result in further investigation by the Rangers in the form of a door knock to determine the extent of the barking
• if this door knock investigation demonstrates that the dog is continuing to bark excessively, a Nuisance Order under the Companion Animals Act 1998 may be issued to the owner
• if a Nuisance Order is issued, all residents who had agreed that the dog/s bark excessively will receive a barking dog diary, to record the extent of the barking problem on an ongoing basis
• for Council to take further action there needs to be conclusive evidence that the dog does bark excessively. This evidence is gathered via two diaries from two separate residents that demonstrates a continuous pattern of excessive barking
• in matters of this type, there is the likelihood that this may be decided in a court of law. Residents who decide to complete the diaries must be prepared to attend court to give evidence

What can I do about roaming dogs in my area

Council’s procedure for dealing with roaming dogs is to:

• speak to the animal owner and advise them of the legislative requirement for a dog in a public place to be on a lead or restraint
• a second complaint will result in further investigation of the surrounding neighbourhood. This may result in a Nuisance Order being issued to the owner to cease the dog from being habitually at large (roaming).
• patrols of the area will be conducted by the Council Rangers
• if a Ranger sights a roaming dog during a patrol, the animal may be seized and taken to the council dog pound. Infringements may also be issued to the owner of the animal

What is meant by a “dog attack”

The Companion Animal Act 1998 defines a dog attack as being a situation where:

• “a dog rushes at, attacks, bites, harasses or chases any person or animal (other than vermin), whether or not any injury is caused to the person or animal”
• the following actions may be taken in regard to a dog attack:
  • any dog that has been deemed to have attacked may result in a Nuisance Order or Dangerous Declaration being issued to the owner
  • the owner of the dog may also incur an on-the-spot fine of $550
  • all dog attacks are investigated and statements are required from the complainants, this will determine the action to be taken against the owner

How do I get further information?

Please contact Council for further information in the following ways:

• a written letter addressed to the
  General Manager
  Tamworth Regional Council
  PO Box 555 (DX 6125)
  Tamworth, NSW, 2340
• by contacting Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 6767 5555. Please call this number for all after hours incidents or to report a dog attack
• email council at trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au