Why Geraldton dogs are in distress over emergency sirens

A bark starts here, extends there, and soon it’s everywhere. Police, ambulance and fire sirens are setting off barking dogs in Geraldton — but it’s nothing to worry about, long-time vet Steve Duda says. “It’s natural, normal behaviour. We (humans) talk, dogs bark, simple as that,” Mr Duda said. “And sirens are a trigger for setting them off. Dogs are a family, wolves the starting point. “They howl, it’s their way of communicating with each other. “When we were young, my brother had a Basenji, a hunting dog, which didn’t bark but howled. Dogs will howl, or bark, in unison. “A lot of dogs will bark because they are anxious, especially if the owners are away. “Dogs who bark often are a problem for neighbours. But there are occasions when it is good to have barking dogs. “They can tell us whenever there is a prowler in the area, and usually scare them off.” Mr Duda said he had often had to deal with barking, and biting, dogs. Mr Duda, who has been working as a locum in country WA and interstate since selling his Chapman Animal Veterinary practice, was last month attacked by a dog while working in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. “I was walking in a street near where I was staying and a big dog raced out of a home with open gates and bit me,” Mr Duda said. “I saw rangers at Kalgoorlie about it because I was concerned about children being bitten.” The City of Greater Geraldton was asked for comment on dogs barking, but nobody in the relevant department was available for comment.