IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners, watch out - the council is looking to adopt new tough bylaws against barking dogs.

At the monthly council meeting on Thursday, September 10, Environmental and Health Services director Richard Ranson argued in favour of legislative change.

"(We have) never had local laws about barking dogs," he said.

The council has been hampered in dealing with the constant problem in Charleville by a lack of legislative grunt.

They tried to develop work-arounds.

"Before (that change) it was like trying to catch Al Capone, we'd get them for being unregistered," he said.

"But we needed to have the formal power."

So the council is working with King and Co solicitors and consulting with other shires to work up some new bylaws to give it to them.

They'll call for a resolution at the next council meeting.

Murweh Shire Mayor Denis Cook said the council did not want to penalise dog owners.

"We just want dog owners to be more responsible," he said.

"We have had a lot of complaints from the caravan park.

"We'll be using smartphones and smart cameras.

"I think we've got it under control with biting dogs.

"Now it was time to fix it so everyone can get a good sleep at night."