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Dog owners in Port Stephens could in future be given 14 days to resolve a barking dog complaint before being issued with a Noise Abatement order. Currently, owners are immediately issued with a direction notice once a noise complaint has been filed. Port councillors agreed at the July 23 meeting to place a revised dog barking noise policy on public exhibition for 28 days "and should no submissions be received, the new policy would be adopted as amended". Cr Jaimie Abbott, a dog owner and former president of Hunter Animal Rescue, said it was an important document for residents. "This council does receive a fair rate of dog noise complaints and I am sure we will get submissions [on the issue]," she said. Cr Steve Tucker said that the 14-day grace offered to dog owners was an important change for both dog owners and complainants, ensuring a better "natural justice" process. Another key change to the draft policy allows the council to seek to obtain additional verification to the one barking dog diary previously required to substantiate the validity of any new complaints. "The verification could include (but is not limited to) site inspections, neighbour interviews, patrols, video and audio recordings. Despite these changes, there is no significant departure from the intent of the existing dog noise policy," the report said. "Council has an obligation to respond appropriately." RELATED READING Delta Therapy Dogs inspire reading confidence in young Port residents Lancaster Park established as dog off-leash area

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