Barking dogs: You say we need citronella collars and owner training

We love our pooches to bits but no one likes a barker.

Here’s what Mackay residents had to say about barking dogs.

When Erakala resident Darren Purdy stood up at Mackay Regional Council’s ordinary meeting last week, his story about barking dogs resonated with so many people.

Mr Purdy said he wanted to put a face to the problem which had been ongoing for three years, adding his family could not relax in their home because of the noise.

“I just feel that after a certain amount of time, there should be more done in the situation,” he said.

“Every time you go out into the yard, every time a car drives past, a blade of grass moves, these dogs are barking.

“It’s not just me exaggerating.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said the council’s CEO Michael Thomson would take up the issue with Mr Purdy.

The Daily Mercury’s Facebook post asked readers ‘Should councils crackdown on dogs that constantly bark?’. About 500 said yes with a thumbs up and 17 said no using the sad face.

There were 148 comments at last count and nine shares.

By law, all dogs over the age of 12 weeks should be registered with Mackay Regional Council.

The council also allows just one cat and one dog on a 600sq m allotment and two cats and two dogs on an allotments bigger than 600sq m.

A permit is required to have three or more animals on a 600sq m or bigger allotment.

The council considers excessive barking an offence under Mackay local laws and can help with mediation.

But irresponsible owners who fail to comply with council recommendations can face significant penalties including infringement fines.

I think we’re all entitled to enjoy our piece of paradise here in Mackay without constant, or even intermittent, noise pollution.

Here’s my two bobs worth on the topic and my experience with my puppy Scoop.

Mackay Daily Mercury editor Rae Wilson's Jack Russell puppy Scoop at six months old. Picture: Rae Wilson

And here’s what you had to say:

Sandra Green: Barking because the owners are too lazy to spend time exercising or controlling their dogs, yes. Some owners must be deaf or plain ignorant. But a dog who is doing his / her job, no. There is a difference in the tone of the bark when a dog is warning you, to a bored out of its brain barking. There is no excuse and plenty of aids to limit unwanted barking.

Jacqui Roads: They can be trained.

Tenille Trapp: Yeh then we can all get our cars stolen in peace.

Connor Smith: Just putting it out there, I don’t think there’s much the council can do. There doesn’t seem to be a real control that could be put in place to physically stop the dog from barking.

Charlene May: We got a complaint about our dogs barking and then got broken into two days later, they nearly took my husband’s car. If it weren’t for the dogs disrupting them, they made it into the house. Needless to say we aren’t keeping them quiet any more for the burglars. Our neighbours should be thanking us, not reporting us to council.

Rita Powter: Really, people are still going to break into cars and houses with a dog barking? My car was in an open carport, someone broke into it, the one time I forgot to lock it, my rottie barked, the person sh*t themselves so much, they left one of their joggers behind! I’d like to see anyone come and try and break into my house!

Joanne Gough: Dogs are a great deterrent though. I personally don’t think anyone would go onto someone’s property at all for any reason if there is a large dog there, day or night! A lot of people keep dogs as watchdogs and I would expect my dog to bark if a stranger entered my property. But I do think it’s up to the owners to investigate the barking where they can, and many do not. Unfortunately, in some cases it’s not always possible and I understand that, but for dogs that bark excessively, the situation needs to be dealt with … In the correct manner.

Jennifer Smith: Train the owner; it’s not the dog’s fault and yes talk to the owner.

Matty Muir: Yes they should, inconsiderate people get a dog to have one then can’t be bothered to do more than feed them. Yes cool, dogs barking to alert owner of things, not just barking because the poor bugger is going mental. For people saying talk to the neighbours first, most people with these type of dogs aren’t normally the most reasonable people. My father confronted a neighbour regarding their dog, the owner’s reply was ‘well I don’t hear it barking’. The point is it barks all the time when you aren’t home!

Lesley Jamieson: There are different barks …. Bored and alerts are not the same. I certainly agree that you shouldn’t chastise a dog for barking at someone coming to your door or whatever.

Some residents believe dogs bark to alert their owners to danger.

Debra Greinke: There are steps but some neighbours are unapproachable or never home – why get a pet dog or cat if you are never home to look after them. Few reasons why dogs bark – some are lonely or bored and just need company or a walk or to be fed. Council can’t monitor every dog or cat!! Up to the owners.

John Robinson: Absolutely they cause more arguments between neighbours than most things.

Domi N Janek Sta: How about putting a shock collar on people which are annoying and looking for problems somewhere else but their own place. Dogs are animals, they have a voice as well, doesn’t really bother me if they barking. If they do it means something isn’t right.

Jill Pluess: Hell yes! Been there, done that! Four months of four dogs barking every night. Owners couldn’t have cared less!!

Eleanor Kynaston: Bloody hell yes! I had to put up with one straight across the road that barked night and day when owners weren’t home. He was a big dog too. Complained to council had to fill out pages n pages of times he barked n times. Had about 20 pages n because only two neighbours complained they wouldn’t do anything about the mongrel!

Anella Falknau: As a first step, maybe let your neighbour know about the issue. Our dog doesn’t bark when we’re home, and neighbours failed to let us know, but ran straight to the real estate. Wouldn’t be surprised if they went to council too. Im trialling a shock collar, that I ordered with express shipping as soon as the agent told me. But can’t gauge if it works because the neighbours DON’T COMMUNICATE.

Rose Coughlin: Don’t get shock collars, I got one years ago, and the shock part stayed on, nearly killed my dog, you can get citronella barking collars.

Debra Plate: I have the same problem. The dog across the road bark constantly but night time is worse but if you say anything you are the worst person going. I absolutely love animals but I agree nothing worse than barking dogs, sends you insane at times lol

Joy Taz Riggs: My two bark when the rest of the neighbours’ dogs go off. Or Kevin the curlew bird runs up and down the street calling out… or u have kids whistling to see what houses has dogs… once they came down whistling and my two didn’t bark. But as soon as they walk up to the gate, my dogs bark, the kids ran and police came through looking from them.

Joanne Gough: Crackdown on the owners! Dogs bark for a reason, and the main reason is boredom and neglect!! Too many dogs are left in the back yard unattended to while their owners are away all day. Dogs are pack animals and need companionship, exercise, food, shelter … and love. Many owners are too lazy to check and see what their dog is barking at and just yell, making the situation worse. Dog owners who can’t provide their dogs with the attention they deserve, should not own a dog.

Jennifer Gray Knight: Yes, but there is usually a reason a dog barks uncontrollably.....so really the owner should be held accountable for it