Neighbours barking dog

DemonKittyKat

I just want to get some advice, and sorry if this is on the wrong board.

3 doors down from me there is a family who own a dog, who they leave to sleep outside. This dog has escaped into other gardens including mine quite a lot, messed in it etc...

However what is *really* annoying me is the dog continually barks, it barks until about 11pm most nights, one time it was going on until 2am! This morning it started at 7.30am and it is constant barking, howling like a wolf. I sleep in the back room and can really hear it.

I am having my window replaced this Saturday in my bedroom as to be fair my bedroom window is cack, infact I may as well leave the thing open for the good it does, it is drafty and the noise of that dog.
I am going to then replace all of the other windows in the house, but it is money!

I have recently moved into the house after 18 months of renovating it.
I have heard that the neighbours who own the dog are a bit rough so I don't want to approach them myself at all!
They are council tenants by the way.
My next door neighbour who is nice was saying that the teenage girl has thrown stones at her and is a bit vile, so hence why I am not going to approach them.
I am a single woman, 5ft 1, slightly built so definetly not!!!

It is driving me mad as apart from that it is a quiet neighbourhood!

What can I do, I know it's not the dogs fault and I feel sorry for it being out there all on its own :-(

Jayne

marcowil

Contact your local Environmental Health department. They will try and help but be prepared to keep a detailed log of all the incidents with barking. Plus the more households that complain the easier it is for them to do something.

burnsguitarman

I have been on our local council website, as we have the same problem, but not to the same extent. I believe they can send a letter to the property, they will not tell the owners who complained.
As long as you have not approached them already, they shouldn't guess that it was you who complained.
If the letter doesnt work then you will have to keep records. Hope this helps.You have my sympathy! it's a nightmare.

emmell

While you are waiting for your windows or the problem solving have you thought about trying earplugs. I know it doesn't seem fair to have to resort to this but I know a few people who work night shifts and can't sleep through the day because of usual daytime noises ie. lawnmowers, traffic, dogs and kids playing.
It's not a long term solution but it might help short term.
ML

naijapower

burnsguitarman wrote: »

I have been on our local council website, as we have the same problem, but not to the same extent. I believe they can send a letter to the property, they will not tell the owners who complained.
As long as you have not approached them already, they shouldn't guess that it was you who complained.
If the letter doesnt work then you will have to keep records. Hope this helps.You have my sympathy! it's a nightmare.

If i understand rightly, they dont take annonymous complaints for environmental health issues

mackeroo

I can so empathise with you, we have been in a very similiar postion except we stayed right next door to the barking dog. It can be a living nightmare. I agree with the advice from the other posts but it may also be worth contacting your local anti social behaviour team and alerting them to the situation.Perhaps your local council has a dog warden scheme who could advise you. If the dog is being mistreated perhaps the RSPCA should be alerted. I wish you luck, it isnt an easy one

mikey72

Ultrasonic dog trainer.
Works a treat, and the neighbours don't know you have it. It squeaks when the dog barks, and only the dog can hear it.

KellyWelly

Every dog owner has a legal duty and obligation to provide suitable housing under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and I think your neighbours are breaking the law by leaving their dog outside all night. A friend of mine had a collie which slept in the garden in the summer because he didn't like being inside, their neighbour phoned the RSPCA and they came round and told them the dog had to have shelter at night and they had to provide a kennel of some sort.

They bought a kennel but the dog still slept on the lawn. lol.

Anyway that might be helpful to you. I would also recommend phoning the local council and making a noise complaint. The poor thing is obviously not happy being outside if he is howling.

advent1122

I had the same problem, and to be honest the RSPCA and Environmental Health were absolute pants.
I lived with it for weeks, trying to do everything by the book and within the law.
I finally snapped one night at 3am - upshot was the police were called and had a quiet word with me about my threatening behaviour. I was actually foaming at the mouth and it was lucky the dog owner did not venture down from his bedroom window.
This still did not work and it was only the fact that the dog got out and bit a child that anything was done.
The owner's got evicted soon after by the landlord and tranquility returned to my little piece of Wales.

burnsguitarman

I didn't mean the complaint to the council to be anonymous, they will ask for details!, but the letter they send out to the owners will not give details of the complainant.

oldMcDonald

Council and HA tenancies almost always make you ask for permission to keep a dog (and limit the amount you are allowed to have in the property). as with all tenancies, you are not allowed to disturb your neighbours or allow your dog to, and persistance in this could put your tenancy at risk.

It may be worthwhile contacting the Housing section of your local council as they will have responsiblity to discuss this with the tenants and provide mediation if needed.

Unless the dog is left in the garden without water and shelter, or there is evidence of cruelty, then I doubt that the RSPCA will get involved. I don't think it is seen as 'cruelty' if the dog is kept outside.