It must be accepted that dogs are a part of the Weipa Urban Environment. It is the problems caused by dogs in our environment that are addressed by the Weipa Town Authority, some of the major problems problems faced are-

• Dog Attacks
• Roaming Dogs
• Barking Dogs
• Pollution
• Unwanted Dogs

Because a large number of people are shift workers in Weipa barking dogs present problems both day and night. The following information relates to barking dogs.

Barking Dogs

Barking is one of the ways dogs communicate. Mostly, dogs bark because they are protecting their territory. It can signify anything from playfulness to danger. Some old dogs bark when they have senile behaviour disorder similar to that of Alzheimer's Disease and in some rare cases, excessive barking is a compulsive disorder. Dogs, however, bark for other reasons when, for example they are-

• Chained to a fixed point without enough room to move or kept in a space which is too small
• Provoked deliberately or unintentionally, by people or roaming dogs
• Under-excercised or not exercised at all
• Lack of training
• Lonely
• Sick
• Hungry, thirsty, on the wrong diet or,
• Generally neglected

These causes of barking shouldn't be a part of a dogs life. As well as indicating a possible distressed animal, chronic excessive barking can be a nuisance to people living nearby.

Caring for dogs

Compassion and common sense can eliminate many of the problems, which lead to excessive barking. The following suggestions may help dog owners solve any problems they may be having.

Provide enough space for your dog to move freely within your enclosed backyard. A dog shouldn't be left on a fixed chain for long periods as this contributes to savagery and often increase nuisance from barking or odour problems. If your dog has to be chained, it should be on a running chain.

Give your dog a place of it's own. Time can be a ventilated and waterproof kennel or an indoor area. A dog kept in an enclosed area at night will not usually bark or annoy neigbours.

Excercise your dog regularly and adequately for its breed and size. Remember that when you exercise a dog in a public place it should be kept on a leash.

Your dog will accept kind but firm discipline. Take it to a good obedience school when the pet is young and you will enjoy the benefits.

Give your dog a balanced and varied diet. Feeding times should be regular and a supply of fresh water should be available at all times.

Dogs suffer from a range of common ailments like fleas, worms, distemper, cuts and bruises. Daily examination, regular baths and veterinary attention when necessary will help to ensure that your dog doesn't suffer from health problems.

Curing the barking habit 

If you feel that your dog is well cared for, but continues to bark excessively, there are a number of things you can try;

• remove direct line of sight between the dog and children or animals, which may be provoking barking
• noise insulation for the kennel
• various aids are available to assist in  controlling barking, click here to view K9 Collars website for more information

Noisy dogs and the law

If you are annoyed by the noise from your neighbor's dog, there are a number of things you can do. 

First of all, try to solve the problem by talking it over with your neighbor. They may not have realised that their dog is causing you a problem and, in many cases, will be happy to do whatever they can to help.

If the noise problem is chronic, you can take more formal action by lodging a complaint with Town Office and the Animal Control Officer will investigate the complaint.

Restrictions 

Under the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998, residents no longer have to put up with unreasonable noise nuisance and disturbance caused by barking dogs. In response to community demands, noise restrictions now apply to barking dogs.

Noise from barking dogs is considered excessive if it exceeds:

• From 7am to 10pm a total of 6 minutes in any hour or;
• From 10pm to 7am a total of 3 minutes in any 30 minute period.

Penalties

EPA or Local Authority can issue nuisance abatement notices if the officer believes, after investigating a complaint that an emission is or has been causing unlawful environmental nuisance.

If a person does not comply with the requirements of nuisance abatement notice within the frame specified the EPA or Local Authority may then issue a penalty infringement notice (on-the-spot-fine). Fines are $300 for an individual or $600 for a company or corporation.

If a person receives nuisance abatement notice, but does not believe an offence has been committed, they may apply to the administering authority for a review of the decision to issue the notice.