Problem animals

For after-hours emergencies for serious dog attacks and straying stock, contact our after-hours service on 0408 210 196.

If the matter is urgent you'll be directed to contact the Griffith Police Station.

Please note: Compliance Officers or after-hours service will not collect straying dogs or cats, or accept animal surrenders after business hours.

Councils are not legally empowered to enforce animal welfare concerns. If you suspect or witness cruelty to an animal, you should directly contact one of the legally empowered authorised enforcement agencies.

The RSPCA or Police are the authority for animal cruelty matters and have powers to enforce the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 in NSW.

To report animal cruelty:

• Call the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589) or report online at www.rspca.org.au/report-cruelty

OR

• Contact Griffith police on 6969 4299

During business hours, lost or roaming dogs can be reported to Council Compliance Officers on 1300 176 077. Roaming dogs may also be taken to the Griffith Pound and Rehoming Centre, by appointment only.

If you've lost a dog or cat, visit our lost & missing animals page or contact 1300 176 077 during business hours to find out if it has been impounded by Council. 

If you've found a dog or cat, try to contact the owner if the animal is wearing a collar or identification tag. You may make your own enquiries to find the owner such as asking neighbours, posting on social media including our Pound and Rehoming Centre Facebook page, advising local vets or radio stations.

If you fail to find the owner within 72 hours, you must deliver the animal to our Pound & Animal Rehoming Centre.

What to do about a barking dog in your neighbourhood

Excessive barking can be frustrating, but there are clear and respectful steps you can take to address the issue calmly and effectively.

Understand why dogs bark

Dogs bark for many reasons, loneliness, boredom, lack of exercise, or even illness. In many cases, the dog’s owner may not be aware that their pet is causing a disturbance.

Talk to the dog's owner

Start with a friendly conversation. Let them know what you’re experiencing. Many owners are open to resolving the issue once they know it’s a problem.

Not comfortable speaking face-to-face?

Download our courtesy Neighbour Letter – simply print and place it in their letterbox:

Template - Letter to Neighbour- Barking Dogs(PDF, 48KB)

Still having trouble?
Please contact Griffith City Council on 1300 176 077 (between 8.15am - 4pm Monday - Friday) to lodge a customer request.

Council may require:

• Multiple complaints from different neighbours
• A completed noise log
• Site visits to assess the situation

Council can investigate and assist.

Please note: Council is unable to seize dogs for barking and cannot order that a dog be rehomed or destroyed.

Further information on how you can deal with Barking Dogs can be found on the NSW EPA website.

Concerned about animal welfare?

If you believe the dog is barking due to neglect or mistreatment, contact the RSPCA at 1300 278 3589 or visit www.rspca.org.au

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 a cat is a nuisance cat if it:

• makes persistent, excessive noise that reasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises; or
• repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.

If you have a complaint about a nuisance animal, you should talk to the owner and try to find a mutually acceptable solution. If this proves unsuccessful or you are not comfortable with this approach, contact Council during business hours on 1300 176 077.

Under the provisions of the Companion Animals Act 1998, cats within New South Wales are considered to have no boundaries and are free to roam except in prohibited places such as protected wildlife areas and where food is prepared or consumed.