Animal problems and concerns

All dogs bark as it is their main form of communication. However, if a dog is barking frequently, loudly or for extended periods and is affecting your enjoyment of your property, the City of Hobart may be able to assist.

In many cases, the dog owners are unaware that their dog is causing a nuisance, particularly when they are away from home.

Before making a complaint

Before lodging a complaint, we encourage you to consider speaking with the dog owner if you feel comfortable doing so. In many cases, owners are unaware that their dog is barking excessively, particularly when they are away from home.

A friendly conversation can often resolve the issue quickly and help maintain positive relationships between neighbours.

If you any concerns about a barking dog in your neighbourhood, you can complete the online form.

Please note that the City of Hobart cannot investigate anonymous complaints, as complainants may need to provide evidence during the investigation process.

How we manage barking dog complaints

Stage 1 – Initial contact

When we receive a complaint, we will contact the dog owner and advise them that concerns have been raised about their dog's barking.

Often, owners are unaware there is a problem. They may choose to seek advice from a dog behaviour specialist or take steps to address environmental triggers that may be causing the barking.

We encourage complainants to allow time for the owner to address the issue before proceeding to a formal complaint.

In many cases, the issue can be resolved at this stage.

Stage 2 – Formal complaint

If the barking continues after the owner has been notified, you may lodge formal complaint under Section 47 of the Dog Control Act 2000.

To begin this process, contact our Animal Management team on 03 6238 2182. We will provide you with a formal complaint form and a barking diary.

Please note: a formal barking complaint requires a completed complaint form, a barking diary and payment of the prescribed fee before an investigation can commence.

The barking diary must be completed for at least 10 consecutive days and submitted with the completed complaint form and the prescribed complaint fee. Details of the current fee are available on the fees and charges page.

Once all required documentation and payment have been received, we will commence an investigation.

Investigation timeframes vary depending on the circumstances of each compliant and the evidence available. We must gather sufficient evidence to determine whether a nuisance barking offence has occurred.

If the investigation confirms that a nuisance barking offence has occurred, the complaint fee will be refunded and appropriate enforcement action may be taken.

Court proceedings and privacy

Your privacy will be protected throughout the investigation wherever possible.

However, if there is insufficient evidence to establish a nuisance and you wish to pursue the matter further, you may be required to attend court and provide evidence as a witness. This may include giving evidence about the impact of the barking and the information recorded in our barking diary.

Dog owners are legally required to immediately pick up and properly dispose of their dog's droppings in public places and other areas not owned by them.

Dog droppings can create health and environmental risks and reduce the enjoyment of public spaces for other community members.

Failure to clean up after your dog may result in a fine.

If you are experiencing issues with dog owners not picking up after their dogs in your area, please complete the online form. This helps us identify problem areas, undertake patrols and investigate reported issues.

Dogs must be kept under effective control at all times and must not be allowed to roam from their property.

If a dog is found roaming at large, the owner may be issued with an infringement notice or face other enforcement action.

If you see a roaming dog, please complete the online form or contact us to report the matter. This allows us to investigate and, where possible, return the dog to its owner.

If it is safe to do so, you may secure the dog on your property until an Animal Management Officer can attend or the owner can be located.

If a dog attacks or chases a person or another animal, the owner must notify the City of Hobart within 24 hours. Failure to do so is an offence under the Dog Control Act 2000.

If you have been involved in a dog attack or aggressive dog incident, please complete the online form so we can investigate the incident and take appropriate action where necessary.

For urgent situations involving serious injuries or an immediate risk to public safety, contact Tasmania Police and seek medical or veterinary assistance as required.

You can also contact the Animal Management team on 03 6238 2182.

A dog may be declared dangerous if it has caused serious injury to a person or another animal, or if it is considered likely to cause serious injury.

The City of Hobart will assess all available evidence before deciding whether a dog should be declared dangerous. Dog owners will be notified of the decision and have the right to appeal within 14 days of receiving the notice.

Dogs declared dangerous are subject to strict legal requirements to help protect the community, other animals and the dog itself. These requirements may include restrictions on how and where the dog is kept and exercised.

Under the Dog Control Act 2000, all dogs used to guard non-residential premises are automatically classified as dangerous dogs.