Our noisy pets make residents barking mad
YAPPING dogs are driving Gold Coasters barking mad, with more than 10 complaints lodged with the city council each and every day.
New data obtained by the Bulletin reveals the number of complaints received by the council skyrocketed in the past 12 months.
Frustrated neighbours made 3797 noise complaints to council, mostly for barking dogs, between April 2018 and April 2019.
The figures leapt from 2921 the previous year, with council attributing the rise to an increase in dog ownership, as well as locals spending longer at work.
Currently there are 65,974 registered dogs on the Gold Coast.
But despite the overwhelming figures, the council only issued 53 fines for a variety of animal-related offences, of which “about a quarter’’ were for barking dogs
The suburb where the most complaints were made last year was Upper Coomera, followed by Southport, Pimpama, Coomera and Labrador. The city says 90 per cent are for barking dogs.
But while the noise is driving locals up the wall, a council spokeswoman said dog owners are given every opportunity to silence their beloved pooches before the authorities step in.
“The owner is not always aware that their dog is causing a nuisance as they don’t bark excessively when owners are at home,” the spokeswoman said.
“This is why we give them the opportunity to resolve the problem before taking enforcement action.’’
“Significant” council resources were used to follow up every complaint made, with officers using noise monitoring devices and neighbourhood surveys to identify problem pets.
The council has not hired extra staff to manage demand, but the spokeswoman said the number of complaints was on the rise.
For owners who ignore the first warning, fines of $652 and compliance notices are issued, and in serious cases the dog can be removed.
Animal Welfare League Queensland rehoming manager Melinda Phipps said incessant barking was one of the main reasons owners gave up their animals to the organisation.
“It can be quite troublesome for owners to handle. It’s one of the reasons that we do see people choosing to surrender their pet or having difficulty keeping them at home,” she said.
Ms Phipps said there were many reasons dogs barked, from boredom to anxiety.
“It’s important to remember that it is a natural behaviour, it’s how they communicate,” she said. “Talk to your neighbours if you’ve got a barking issue and open that chain of communication – it’s better to address it when it’s a little issue, and it can be a harder trait to break over time.”
Ms Phipps said some breeds, particularly working dogs and staffies, were more prone to barking. She said potential owners should consider their lifestyle when choosing a dog. Owners could use puzzle toys to cure their pet’s boredom, while older neighbours or pet-sitters could be used for animals that were lonely.