No Family Should Live in Fear Inside Their Own Home

Since July 2025, my family has endured an ongoing ordeal that has robbed us of the basic right every Australian family should enjoy: the right to feel safe in our own home.

For more than twelve months, we have lived under constant fear, stress and anxiety caused by three neighbouring dogs that have repeatedly displayed aggressive behaviour towards my family, visitors, neighbours and members of the public.

This is no longer an isolated neighbourhood dispute.

It is an ongoing public safety issue that demands immediate intervention.

Despite repeated reports to Council Rangers and Victoria Police, the dangerous behaviour has continued, placing innocent residents at unnecessary risk.

We cannot continue waiting until someone is seriously injured—or worse—before decisive action is taken.

A Year of Repeated Incidents

Since moving into our home in July 2025, there have been at least three significant incidents, with countless additional episodes of aggressive barking and threatening behaviour.

These dogs have repeatedly:

• Barked aggressively throughout the day and night.
• Barked during the early hours of the morning—including around 12:00 am, 1:00 am, 2:00 am, 5:00 am and 6:00 am—causing repeated sleep disturbance to surrounding residents.
• Charged at fences whenever pedestrians, neighbours or visitors walk past.
• Barked aggressively even at people walking on the opposite side of the street.
• Repeatedly rammed and damaged the dividing fence separating our properties.
• Broken through barriers erected to protect my family before entering my property.
• Intimidated visitors attempting to enter our home.
• Escaped onto the street, creating an obvious risk to the wider public. 
  These incidents have not been isolated.

They have become a recurring part of daily life.

 

The Most Serious Incident

On Sunday, 26 July 2026, the situation escalated dramatically.

The dogs kept hitting their heads against a fence in my yard eventually breaking it and escaping into my yard, lunging at me and my brother and attacking us.

I was effectively trapped inside my own home for several hours because I believed it was unsafe to leave.

Guests were unable to safely attend my home.

I called the police twice, even speaking to the sergeant but to no avail. No one came to help me.

I even called the after-hour rangers who stalled us and did not arrive to the scene even hours later.

Left alone, I called some friends to come help me. Some knew how to handle dogs.

 Approximately fifteen members of my community attended to assist after learning of the situation.

Several of those people were themselves confronted and lunged at by the dogs while trying to help.

The dogs were also captured on video running loose in the street.

This entire incident has been documented by video recordings.

 

The Human Cost

Behind every complaint is a family.

My wife has repeatedly been too frightened to leave our home because of these dogs.

My three-year-old child has been deprived of the simple joy of safely playing outside.

My elderly father, who suffers from a heart condition, has endured repeated emotional distress throughout the past year because of these ongoing incidents.

No family should have to barricade themselves inside their own home because they fear neighbouring dogs.

Repeated Attempts to Resolve the Issue Internally

Before seeking help from the authorities, we repeatedly raised our concerns directly with the owner in the hope of resolving the matter peacefully.

Despite several conversations over the past year, the aggressive behaviour, excessive barking and safety concerns have continued unchanged, leaving us with no option but to seek urgent intervention.

Authorities Have Been Notified Repeatedly

This matter has not been ignored.

We have sought help through the proper channels.

Over the past year:

• Victoria Police have been contacted on multiple occasions.
• Council Rangers have attended multiple incidents.
• Emergency assistance has previously been requested several times before authorities attended.
• Dogs have previously been removed before only to later being returned.
• Despite these interventions, the dangerous behaviour has continued.

Temporary responses have failed to provide lasting protection for the community.

 

This Is No Longer Just About One Household

This affects every resident.

Children regularly play in the public park directly opposite our home.

Families walk past every day.

People exercise, ride bicycles and use the surrounding footpaths.

Neighbours have independently raised concerns about the aggressive behaviour of these dogs.

One nearby resident has described how the dogs lunge aggressively at the fence whenever she walks past, causing genuine fear for her own safety.

This is a neighbourhood issue.

Tomorrow, the next person confronted by these dogs may not be as fortunate.

 

We Respect Responsible Dog Ownership

This petition is not directed against dogs.

Nor is it directed against responsible pet owners.

Many families own dogs responsibly and safely.

However, every dog owner also has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that their animals do not threaten neighbours, escape from their property, or create an ongoing risk to public safety.

When those responsibilities are repeatedly not met, authorities must intervene.

 

We Call Upon the Relevant Authorities to Act Immediately

We respectfully request that the responsible authorities:

• Conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the repeated incidents outlined above.
• Assess these dogs under all applicable Victorian legislation relating to Dangerous Dogs and Menacing Dogs.
• Determine whether enforcement action should be taken against the owner where appropriate.
• Ensure that the dogs are securely contained and prevented from escaping or entering neighbouring properties.
• Investigate the repeated excessive barking and ongoing nuisance affecting nearby residents.
• Implement effective, long-term measures that permanently eliminate the ongoing danger to the community.
  Prioritise public safety before a preventable tragedy occurs.

 

Stand With Our Community

Every family deserves to feel safe inside their own home.

Every child deserves to play outside without fear.

Every neighbour deserves peaceful enjoyment of their property.

Every member of the public deserves to walk down their own street without intimidation.

If you believe authorities should act before someone is seriously injured—not afterwards—

Please sign this petition.

Together, we can call for meaningful action, stronger accountability and the restoration of safety, peace and confidence within our community.

Enough warnings have been given. Enough reports have been made. It is now time for decisive action.