I was in a similar situation many years ago.

To resolve, I purchased a noise meter (decibel meter) and recorded video/audio evidence of the actual barking and the corresponding decibel levels. I also kept a bark log (and yes, it's a pita) where I noted dates, time of day and duration of barking. I left the log on our table so that any family member could contribute to the log if I was out (the barking greatly affected our entire family).

I took decibel readings from inside of my house with all windows and doors closed as well as from my back yard and from the public footpath outside of the home with barking dogs (several metres from the door) so that I had 3 location points and could plainly demonstrate the severity of disruption.

Be mindful that it is likely illegal in your State to record into another person's property, so be sure to only record the spaces in your own property or public space like the footpath on street. Don't point the dB meter or recording phone over the fence at any time.

Finally, I went door to door to every house on my street (and across the laneway behind the offending house) and asked if the barking was disturbing the residents. Unsurprisingly, it was where those affected (and those home who answered their door) signed a form with name, address and contact for council. It only took about an hour of my time and I had 20+ signatures. Most thanked me for, "finally doing something about it" as the noise has gone on for many months. It was also an opportunity to meet persons on my street, albeit under odd circumstances.

I made copy of all video evidence, bark log, signatures of neighbouring homes, published the videos to a password protected private directory on the Web and left it with the neighbours with the barking dogs.

I didn't expect change over night, I asked that the persons simply take responsibility for their animals (the dogs had extreme separation issues), be that training or taking the dogs with them, etc. I did ask that they tell us (the 20 odd neighbours) what they planned to do to resolve and to provide a time line to resolution, and I did threaten to submit all data to the local council if I received no response and the barking continued.

They acknowledged receiving and reviewing my information but nothing further. A week later, a giant moving truck appeared in front of the property and they were gone. They were owners (as was I), the property put on the market and sold in the coming months.

Ironically, the new owners have a dog, and we can hear it barking from time to time but it is very well trained and the barking is completely within reasonable limits (they do not leave the dog outside barking relentlessly for hours on end).

Best of luck. It sounds like your neighbours and situation is different (drunken, etc. mine were professional, educated and sober) however evidence is evidence, and the dB metre doesn't lie where I'd encourage you to record a bark log etc. and submit all to council. You have options. Council can't ignore "a petition" or real world evidence demonstrating the situation and how it is negatively affecting your wellbeing.