An Australian council is calling on residents to take part in a measured approach to one of the most persistent neighbourhood complaints nationwide: excessive dog barking.
In the Perth suburb of Bassendean, the local council is promoting the use of so-called “bark cards” to address noise concerns in a constructive and neighbourly manner.
The cards act as a formalised “friendly note”, allowing residents to document when a dog has been barking, howling or crying, and at what times the disturbances occur.
Those raising the concern are also encouraged to include their name and contact number.
“If you don’t feel comfortable to approach your neighbour, you can fill out a bark card and leave it in their letterbox,” the Town of Bassendean stated.
The council said that direct communication should always be the first step wherever possible.
“If you have a problem with a dog barking in your neighbourhood, first try to discuss it with the owner,” it said.
“Often the owner is not aware, as they are not at home when their dog is barking.”
Dog-related disputes are consistently among the most common sources of neighbourhood tension across Australia and frequently escalate into prolonged disagreements between residents.
Issues such as persistent barking, roaming pets and boundary disputes can quickly strain relationships, particularly in higher-density suburbs.
While many councils depend primarily on formal complaint procedures and ranger enforcement, Bassendean’s strategy is designed to encourage early resolution before matters escalate.
If barking continues after a card has been delivered, residents are advised to refer the matter to local rangers.
Rangers will then issue a “barking dog complaint pack”, which includes a statutory complaint form and a “barking diary” to be completed over the course of a week.
Once the documentation has been submitted, rangers will commence an investigation and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Should ranger intervention prove unsuccessful and nuisance barking persist, dog owners may receive an infringement notice carrying a $200 fine.
Repeat infringements can result in court action.
The maximum penalty for the offence is $10,000 for a dangerous dog and $5000 for all other dogs.
Images: Supplied
