Complaints - Barking Dogs
How do I report a barking Dog?
To register a complaint about a barking dog, call the Animal Services Agency at 311. At that time you will be asked a series of questions:
- your name, address and phone number
- the address of where the dog lives
- the date and time that you last saw the dog barking to disturb you
- a description of the dog that you saw barking
Your complaint will be registered and an Animal Services Agency Officer will investigate.
Please note that the Animal Services Agency does not respond to anonymous complaints.
What times of day can a dog bark?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20 (1)(b) states that a dog cannot bark or howl or in any other way unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s). This by-law is in effect 24 hours a day.
Why can’t a dog bark during the day?
Your dog cannot unduly disturb anyone at anytime of day. There are many reasons why a dogs barking might disturb someone during the day; your neighbours maybe shift workers and sleep during the day or perhaps your neighbours are sick and must rest. Whatever the reason, the City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 is in effect 24 hours a day.
What am I suppose to do about my dog barking? That’s what dogs do.
Barking is the normal way a dog communicates vocally, but a barking dog can be a serious neighborhood nuisance. The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 Section 20.(1)(b) states that your dog cannot bark or howl or in any other way unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s).
Some suggestions if your dog is barking and disturbing your neighbours:
- Keeping your dog indoors can help prevent it from disturbing your neighbours
- Sometimes dogs bark when they are not getting adequate care, if they are lonely, bored or looking for attention. Being a responsible dog owner means you will provide your dog with the attention and daily exercise it needs
- A dog can learn not to bark. Well trained dogs are less likely to become problem barkers, so look into obedience classes for your dog.
- If puppies show a tendency to bark, hold their muzzles gently and scold them. Aversive conditioning is the best way to control barking in older dogs. They learn to associate barking with an unpleasant experience, such as isolation. This conditioning should never be painful to the animal.
- The Animal Services Agency rents out Anti-Bark collars that are filled with Citronella spray that does not hurt the dog
My dog only barks when someone walks by. What am I suppose to do about that?
The City of Winnipeg Pound By-law 2443/79 states that your dog cannot unduly disturb the quiet of any person(s). If your dog is disturbing your neighbours for any reason, they can file a complaint with the Animal Services Agency.
