Dogs constantly barking etc

dexiple

I want to start this by saying I have never owned a dog in my life so not well up on dog care etc.

Our neighbours of 11 years moved away and put their house up to let.

Around a month and a half ago a guy moved in next door, all was fine for a few days.

Three days after he moved in we got home from work to see that he had erected a 30 foot dog run in his driveway which unfortunately happens to be right outside our bedroom window. The dog run has three dogs in it, Now Im no expert at all when it comes to dogs but after looking online two of them are American bull mastiffs and the other is a dog de bordeaux.

A few days ago we got home to see another dog de bordeaux in his back garden just howling in the rain, the other three have not been taken out of the dog run since it was put there, no walks for any of them at all, there are three water bowls in the dog run but they are always empty and dont get me started on the smell from the excrietment (which is not picked up, just left there, the dogs lay in it)

On top of all this the barking from all four dogs is getting to be unbearable, I seriously cannot remember that last time we had more than a few hours sleep per night and we are both waking up narky with each other because of lack of sleep, I feel like a zombie at best. Howling and barking at 1am, 1.20am, 3am, 4am, 5am it is seriously all night, then it happens all over again during the day, and I cant take it anymore. We moved into our spare box room a week ago but even on the other side of the house with windows and doors shut we still hear the barking all night.

Its getting to the point where I am in a bad mood all the time and after once again getting woken up all night last night I knocked on his door this morning hoping to talk to him about at least trying to keep the noise down, he answered the door and in a nutshell said "dogs bark" and that was about it.

I dont like to get involved in other peoples bussiness but I need to know from other dog owners what to do in my situation without any confontation, and is the way the dogs are being kept ok?

wilkies5

This is more than just a nuisance to you. It's probably a health and environmental issue too.
Contact the local council and als, if you feel there is an element of neglect with those poor dogs, contact the RSPCA.

Good Luck

sophieschoice

Phone or email your Anti Social Behaviour Unit at your local Council.
Phone or email the Council Dog Warden.
Phone or email the RSPCA, they won't care about the non walking or howling but should have something to say about the dogs lying in their own mess.
Phone or email Environmental Health Department.
Buy a cheap digital voice recorder and record the dogs all night long as evidence.
Have you tried to speak to your neighbour?

Just noticed it's rented. Ask your local neighbourhood police as they deal with anti social behaviour and can find out who the owner is and contact them.

krlyr

There are several issues I see here, that may help you get a resolution.

Firstly, I would question whether he was actually allowed to build the kennel where he has built it - I know you're limited in what you can place at the front or side of a house. It could be worth checking if a structure is allowed where he's put it (e.g. check planning permission websites, check with council?)

Secondly, the care of the dogs sounds as if it's lacking. The RSPCA do have their hands somewhat tied - they do not have the power to break in and seize dogs just because you dislike the way they are being kept, but if the dogs are kept in poor conditions they may be able to act on it. If nothing else, a visit from the RSPCA may push the neighbours into caring for the dogs better. If you report it to the RSPCA, mention the five freedoms - these are guidelines (not laws) that the RSPCA feel pet owners should provide their pets
http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQ_Five_Freedoms/category/Pets/

The RSPCA believes that anyone who looks after animals should try to give them the following five freedoms:
Freedom from hunger and thirst
By providing enough fresh water and the right type and amount of food to keep them fit.
Freedom from discomfort
By making sure that animals have the right type of environment including shelter and somewhere comfortable to rest.
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
By preventing them from getting ill or injured and by making sure animals are diagnosed and treated rapidly if they do.
Freedom to express normal behaviour
By making sure animals have enough space, proper facilities and the company of other animals of their own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress
By making sure their conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering.

Please note that the standard of care we recommend for animals is higher than the standard the law requires. As a result not all of the above will be enforceable by law.

Also, another angle on this could be Environmental Health. If the kennel is excessively littered with faeces, you could argue that it is a health hazard to neighbours.

Lastly, the barking is definately something to take action on. Dogs cannot just be left to bark all night, no more than you could let your kids shout all night, or you could do DIY at 2am, etc. - the point to raise issue with here is nuisance noise. Some barking is normal from a dog, but excessive barking, and barking at unsociable hours will be looked into.

Your local council website should have details on the procedure, or there's some general guidelines on the Gov.UK page - https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing/noise-neighbours

The council will likely ask you to create a log of the nuisance noise, so start that now to save a bit of time and hopefully get it actioned a bit sooner.

Do you have the contact details for your old neighbours? They may be horrified to hear that their tennants are upsetting their previous neighbours with their behaviour. It could be another angle to try.

skintandscared_2

Those poor dogs