City of Newcastle - Nuisance Animals

Nuisance Animal or Livestock

Dogs, cats, birds, and other animals are a much-loved part of our lives and communities. Living with them comes with responsibilities, and it's important to make sure they don't create a nuisance or health risk for others in your neighbourhood.

Common issues include:

offensive odours
noise nuisances
unhygienic conditions that may attract pests or vermin.

These problems can usually be avoided by carefully considering the type and number of animals you keep, and by making sure their needs and your neighbours' comfort are both looked after.

If City of Newcastle receives a substantiated complaint, we will work with you to identify the issue and request that reasonable steps be taken to resolve it. Our aim is to support responsible pet ownership while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

How we can assist

Dogs

In cases where a dog is causing ongoing nuisance, City of Newcastle has the ability to issue a Nuisance Dog Order. This outlines the specific behaviours that the owner is required to manage, and fines may apply if the order is not followed.

Our preference, however, is to work with dog owners first. We usually begin by providing advice, issuing cautions, and helping owners understand what steps they can take to reduce or prevent nuisance behaviours.

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, a dog can be considered a 'nuisance dog' if it does any of the following:

consistently roams
makes persistent, excessive noise
repeatedly defecates on private property other than the property where it usually lives
repeatedly causes substantial damage to anything outside the property where it usually lives
repeatedly runs at or chases a person, animal, or a vehicle. This doesn't include running at or chasing vermin or livestock while the dog is droving, tending, working, or protecting them
endangers the health of a person or animal. This doesn't include vermin or livestock while droving, tending, working or protecting them.

Cats

If a cat is causing ongoing nuisance, City of Newcastle may issue a Nuisance Cat Order. This sets out the behaviours the owner needs to manage, and fines can apply if it isn't followed.

We always aim to work with owners first, offering advice and cautions to help prevent nuisance behaviours.

A cat can be investigated as a nuisance under the Companion Animals Act 1998 if it:

makes persistent, excessive noise
repeatedly damages anything outside the property where it usually lives.

Birds

Aggressive birds

It is important to remember is that some birds are a protected species and must not be harmed.

If a bird is aggressive in a public area, City of Newcastle rangers can investigate and, if needed, place a "Warning Aggressive Birds" sign in the location.

If the bird is on private property, it is the responsibility of the landowner to manage the situation.

There are a few simple steps you can take to avoid swooping magpies:

Avoid and stay calm - Try not to enter bird nesting areas. If swooped, stay calm, walk away (don't run), and protect your head and eyes with your arms, hat, or umbrella.
Be aware and prepared - Birds usually swoop from behind. Keep them in sight, draw eyes on a hat/helmet, or walk your bike/horse through the area instead of riding.
Respect and educate - Never harass or provoke birds. Teach children how to stay calm and protect their face if swooped.

Myna birds

Pigeons

Chickens / Roosters

Chickens

Roosters

Straying horses and cattle

If you come across livestock (such as horses, goats, or cows) wandering in the community, please contact City of Newcastle so we can investigate as soon as possible. These animals can pose risks to both themselves and the public.

If the animal is creating a road hazard, it is very important that you contact both City of Newcastle and Police immediately so the situation can be managed quickly and safely.

Bees

Bees will not normally be treated on council property unless they constitute a danger to the general public ie: (in parks, near schools or around bus stops or other associated public areas).

If you notice a bee swarm on private property, you can contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries for assistance (please note that fees may apply). The NSW Bee Keepers Association also provides helpful information on swarms, including an easy tool where you can enter your postcode to find a local beekeeper who can collect the swarm.

Raise a request

Before you begin

Provide as much detailed information as possible, such as time of day when the issue may be more prevalent or how long the issue has been going on for.
When lodging your request, you will have the option to attach photos or other supporting documents.

Location matters!

Providing specific details about the location of the issue helps us identify and address it quickly, particularly if reporting a bird attack on public land, or a beehive. Please include cross streets, house numbers, or identifying landmarks.

Report an Issue

Next steps

You'll receive an acknowledgement with your request number.
City of Newcastle will investigate the issue to ensure the animal is being kept in accordance with any guiding legislation.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, we may ask that mitigating steps be taken to ensure smell, noise and vermin are managed.
Once your request has been completed, you will receive a notification.

Time frames

Investigations typically take 2-3 weeks to complete.

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Nuisance Animals