Common noise drives Sydneysiders barking mad

Forget noisy nightclubs or roaring racetracks, the sound of barking dogs has become the biggest source of complaints in many Sydney suburbs as local councils are inundated with gripes about mouthy mutts disturbing the peace in residential streets.

New figures have revealed local councils are receiving up to three complaints a day about noisy pooches.

Some councils have attributed the increase to a sharp rise in domestic pet ownership, with the known number of pet dogs and cats topping 4.7 million in NSW – more than half the state’s human population.

Blacktown Council is a hotspot region for gripes about yapping dogs, with the council receiving 995 complaints in 2024.

Over the same 12 months, Northern Beaches Council clocked up 638 complaints, Liverpool had 367, Parramatta recorded 246 and Randwick received 242.

In Ku-ring-gai, which received 249 complaints, barking dogs now account for the greatest source of complaints each year – outstripping other common grievances such as parking issues.

Sydney canine counsellor Mark Ehrman said the rising number of complaints could be due to more people returning to the office after pandemic working-from-home arrangements, resulting in dogs being left at home alone for long periods during the day.

He said this could result in excessive barking from dogs experiencing “separation anxiety” from their owners.

“Excessive barking and howling is a really common sign of separation anxiety, and it can be quite persistent,” he said.

“More people are also living in apartments or units with dogs who may not be getting enough exercise.

“Councils are often loath to get involved when receiving complaints, and instead want people to sort out their disputes themselves because it’s challenging for councils to investigate and very much a ‘he said, she said’ issue.”

Councils across Sydney have various protocols to deal with complaints, including encouraging complainants to document evidence by keeping detailed diaries with the times and duration of barking.

Under current legislation, councils can also issue nuisance orders if barking noises are found to be “habitually persistent or unreasonable”. If such orders aren’t complied with, councils can fine dog owners up to $275 for each noise offence.

Mosman Council encourages dog owners to take their animals to pet behavioural specialists, while Blacktown Council promotes an “open dialogue” solution between neighbours and provides “barking dog courtesy letters” that can be used to initiate that conversation.

Sydney dog behaviour trainer Nathan Williams said other factors for nuisance barking can include territorial barking from dogs who are not properly trained.

Some councils, including Georges River and Northern Beaches, are calling on the NSW government to give councils greater powers to investigate and issue fines to owners of nuisance dogs as part of an ongoing review of companion animal legislation in NSW.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said that “all aspects regarding the care and management of pet dogs and cats” were being examined as part of the review, which could result in additional powers for councils to manage pet complaints.

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