Peace was briefly disrupted among the residents of a Coogee apartment complex after one furious neighbour posted a note to call out another neighbour for its barking puppy. The note, shared on a private Facebook group, sparked a debate about pet ownership.
The complainant left a stickered note in a common area of the Coogee apartment complex to reprimand the pet owner, who took a photo and shared it with the group.
“Your dog is a pest while you are home,” the message read. “Your dog is a severe pest when you are out. Silence the dog you inconsiderate beasts.”
The puppy’s owner, Rachel Lee, also posted a note in response to the neighbour, stating in a sarcastic tone that she bought a zap collar for the puppy “in hopes that he STOPS the horrible behaviour.”
On Facebook, however, Ms Lee said that she was not going to use a cruel device on her 12-week-old pup.
“I’m a stay-at-home mum, so I’m home most days and if not he [the puppy] comes with me – definitely no separation anxiety either. He just barks because he’s a puppy and we’re trying to teach him. The person that wrote that sticker is obviously a psychopath.”
Some neighbours defended Ms Lee’s situation as untrained pups naturally bark. They chided the complaining neighbour for leaving a rude note anonymous instead of making the effort to talk to Ms Lee in person.
“They went out of their way to print a sticker and yet couldn’t go next door to chat in person,” one local said.
However, others agreed with the complainant because residents “need peace and quiet in their own homes.” The incident raised issues not only about pet ownership but also respect and kindness.
Randwick City Council encourages pet owners in the Eastern Suburbs to become familiar with the state’s Companion Animal Act. Under this act’s part 5 of the special provisions relating to the control of dogs, persistent dog barking may be considered a nuisance if it “interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises.”
“Owning a dog comes with certain responsibilities that ensure your pet’s safety as well as the safety of our community and environment,” the Council stated.
Published 16 March 2023
