Dog Barking Laws In South Africa

Dog Barking Laws In South Africa

What is Dog Barking Laws?

A single bark may be given when a dog is surprised or annoyed, as if to say, “huh?” or “knock it off.” On the other hand, a long string of barks likely indicates the dog is far more worked up, such as the prolonged sound of alarm barking.

Dog Barking Laws In South Africa

The “new” law that’s making headline across South Africa defines excessive barking as “any dog that barks for more than six minutes in an hour or more than three minutes in any half-hour.” According to the headlines, dog owners can be fined a maximum of R20,000 if their dog’s barking exceeds the threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How long can a dog bark legally?

The law allegedly stipulates that dogs cannot bark for more than six minutes in any hour, or more than three minutes in any half hour.

What is considered excessive dog barking?

Examples of excessive barking can include: frequent intermittent barking over lengthy periods; sustained barking over more than a minute or two; barking early in the morning or late at night.

Can I do anything about my Neighbors dog barking?

Basically you have 3 possible course of action: Direct contact with the neighbor to find a solution. Report the matter to your local Environmental Health Department. Court action.

How do I report a dog barking in South Africa?

Dogs bark for different reasons, but if you notice that the barking is due to a dog that is left without water, food, or shelter, or is mistreated in any other way, please report it to the local SPCA as soon as possible.

Where can I report a barking dog in Johannesburg?

I recently met with JMPD Superintendent Edna Momonyane and according to her, if the neighbours barking dogs are disturbing you, you can contact the JMPD call center on 011 375-9511 and lay a complaint.

How long can a dog bark legally in South Africa?

Under South African law, owners may not keep any dog that barks for more than six minutes in any hour or more than three minutes in any half hour. An official may order the owner to take necessary steps to stop the disturbance and owners are required to keep the dog under proper control.

What to do if neighbor’s dog keeps barking South Africa?

“In order to show that a Noise Nuisance exists, a reasonable person must find a certain noise intolerable or seriously effecting his enjoyment of his property and it may come down to a court applying a test of objective reasonableness,” said Milner.

What are the noise restrictions in South Africa?

The Regulations define noise disturbance as follows: “Any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person” and “disturbing noise” as “a noise level that exceeds the ambient sound level measured continuously at the same measuring point by 7 decibels or more.”

Is debarking legal in South Africa?

In other words, tail docking is a criminal offence no matter who does it. There is no exclusion for breeders. The same applies to ear cropping.

How do I report a noise complaint to the police in South Africa?

Tel no for Metro Police is: 011 375 5911 or 011 375 5555. Once the metro police are contacted, they willinvestigate, determine the noise level and they would apply the protocol necessary to ensure that a resolution was in place.

What time can you make noise South Africa?

Accordingly, a fixed domestic machine must not emit a (continuous) noise level greater than 45 dB(A) between the hours of 10 pm on any day to 7 am on the next day when measured at a relevant position at a noise affected premise.

What is noise nuisance in South Africa?

The other is a “noise nuisance”, which is subjectively measured and described as any noise that disturbs or impairs the convenience or peace of any person. This kind of disturbance is usually something that is frequent and happens over a long period.