If your dog is barking excessively, please take a look at the NSW Environmental Protection Agency website page on Barking Dogs. They have also produced a useful booklet 'Dealing with barking dogs' which can be downloaded from the website.
If you are troubled by a barking dog in your neighbourhood, follow the below helpful steps. It is important to note that not all barking is unreasonable; it is only unreasonable if it affects your activities at home.
You should always talk to your neighbour to try and resolve it first.He or she may not be aware that a nuisance exists as the barking of their own dog may not be a problem to them but may be offensive to you. In most cases owners want to do the right thing and will co-operate, in which case, move to step 2. Should this not be successful and the owner is unwilling to co-operate, you should move on to step 3 below.
If the owner agrees to do something about the barking, please wait a few weeks to see if they have been successful in their efforts. Give them feedback about what is working and what is not. It's in the best interest of a harmonious neighbourhood that the matter is sorted directly by those affected.
LawAccess NSW is a free government telephone service that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases, advice for people who have a legal problem in New South Wales. LawAccess NSW is a starting point to help with your legal problem.
You can call 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Visit https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/
There’s no law prohibiting cats from roaming, but there may be consequences if your cat roams beyond your property or is considered a nuisance. The Companion Animals Act outlines what constitutes a nuisance cat and what you’re responsible for as a cat owner.
Rules for domestic cats:
If you find a stray cat, we suggest you leave it alone, speak with your neighbours to determine whether it’s owned by anyone nearby or take it to a local vet to see if it is microchipped.
You can keep up to five hens on residential areas zoned R1, R2, R3, R4, and RU5.
Up to 10 chickens, including roosters, may be kept on residential areas zoned R5, and larger non-residential properties. There are NSW government regulations regarding the type of enclosure you can have on your property for housing poultry.
You need to ensure your chickens:
NSW Environment Planning laws set out the requirements for chicken pens or hen houses.
Requirements can vary depending on the residential zone or bushfire rating of the property, so be sure to refer to the legislation.