Neighbour's Dog driving us mental!!!

skea56

Hi everyone

My boyfriend lives next door to a family with a large dog (I think its a Newfoundland) The house has a fenced off garden approx 50 sq m and yet this big dog lives in a cage about 3ft x 8ft. Quite understandably the poor creature is bored silly as he is never let out and barks, whines and howls all the time.

I have been frequenting this house for almost 4 years, and yet in that time, I have only seen the dog out of his cage once - my bf says in all the time it has been there (about 5 years) he has only seen it out 3 or 4 times. I'm sure the dog's owners can hear it - I mean even with all windows closed it sounds as if the dog is right outside the bedroom door!
During the hot weather recently we were caught between lack of sleep of barking through the open windows or sweltering heat through closed windows.

I do not live permanently at the house, but I do spend 3-4 days out of the week there and our sleep is disturbed almost every night. My bf has to get up early every day but he is always knackered from lack of sleep.

My first question is how do I complain about this? Its not my place as its not my house and they're not my neighbours, but my bf is too nice and doesn't want to fall out with them, even though its making his sleep impossible. I would prefer to do this anonomously (sp??) as they will probably become my neighbours at some stage.:D

My second question is how are they allowed to cage this massive animal in such a small space?? I've seen goldfish in bigger enclosures!! The one and only time I did see the dog out, its owner told me the big difficulty he went through to get it - formal applications, interview with the original owner, home visits etc - why go through all this bother and then stick it in a tiny cage - are there no follow up visits?

I would really appreciate if anyone could give me some advice - thankfully I'm back at my own home tonight so I'll get some sleep, but I'm back down tomorrow and no doubt the barking will keep us up.


Thanks in advance


sk56

PinkLipgloss

Advice here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/NoiseNuisanceAndLitter/DG_10029682

(scroll down to "complaining about dogs that bark")

EycplUK

If all the details you have posted are correct then this is simply a case of animal cruelty !
Call the RSPCA and make a complaint , your details will be confidential and will NOT be revealed to the dogs ownere/s !
The RSPCA now have new powers to seize dogs , or any other animal , which is being caused suffering through neglect , whether wilful or not !!
Call them ASAP to end this distressed animal`s totally inapropriate living standards !

Oliver14

Just contact the RSPCA.

Sooler

Yes, you must inform the RSPCA, now.

dazzer68

oh please contact the rspca, the dog is obviously neglected and to confine such a big dog in a small cage is terrible. please ring them

fluffnutter

I have a similar problem (although not as bad). Next door neighbours periodically look after some dogs (their parents?). The dogs stay for anything up to a week, but only a few times a year. Whilst the dogs are there, the neighbours go happily about their business - work, shopping, out for the day, etc. but never take the dogs with them. The dogs then bark non-stop until they return. I live in a terraced house - hearing two dogs yap the other side of your wall for 8 hours solid makes you want to die.

Not sure what to do. I did casually mention the dogs barking to the neighbours once, but it wasn't well-received. A shrug and a 'well, we've got to go to work'. But what can you do if they're not their dogs?

scottishblondie

Keeping a dog of any size in a cage all the time is cruel, but a dog that size in a cage that size is very, very cruel. Call the RSPCA right now. You can report it anonymously.

fadetogrey

totally agree with all these posters why anyone buys an animal especially a large dog like that which needs lots of exercise and keeps it caged up is beyond me.my grandaughter has a guinea pig and I made him a cage big enough for a puppy to live in so he had lots of room.