I have had a letter from the local council stating my dog is a nuisance with barking?

Question

1. Any solutions?
2. Can I demand to see the original letter of complaint?
3. Why cant complainers, complain to your face?

For the attention of some - my dog IS trained thanks.
He has suddenly started doing this, only first thing in the morning when I have gone to work. Have a very good neighbour who takes him out later.
One neighbour is a back stabber - if I knew it was her, would I ignore it? Hell no chance!

I also have a dog flap installed so he can be in or out as he pleases

Answer 1

1. if the dog is indoors leave a radio on to provide some company for it -which might resolve the barking.
2. I work for a local authority and any complaint is treated in strict confidence - turn the situation around, if you'd complained about a neighbour and feared reprisals no matter how small would you want your name to be given out? firebomb or severe beating coming up!
3. A little while ago a neighbour in my flat block reported me to the rescue shelter where I got my dog from saying that she only went out for ten minutes a day - when in fact she goes out four times a day for a long walk and had just come back from two weeks in Yorkshire! I dont have any idea who reported me and to be honest if that's all they have in their little lives to worry about - clocking my movements then they erring on the side of sad. I suggest you talk to your local housing officer, they will be able to help you

Answer 2

Any solutions? Try to prevent your dog from barking as much as possible. You can use a muzzle, if necessary. But try lemon juice; a small squirt towards the inside of his cheek when he barks. Hold his mouth (gently) closed as you repeat "no bark". Release when he stops. Periodically, when he's not barking, offer him a special treat and tell him he's a good boy. Eventually he'll learn it's (for example) a slice of pepperoni when he's being quiet or a squirt of lemon juice when he's not. He'll want the pepperoni in no time!!!

Can you demand the letter? Absolutely! But don't expect to be told anything. Most of the time these are phone calls and are anonymous.

And why not complain directly to you? Because people want to avoid confrontation. Because it was (obviously) a neighbor and they may think of "revenge" and what you will do to them if they mention a problem to you. Basically, because most people would rather involve someone else than take care of their own problems themselves. It's the chicken's way out.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. But try the lemon juice and pepperoni I suggested. And get some toys for him. Kong Balls are great!!! They will keep him entertained when you're not around and they are virtually indestructable so no worry of him tearing it apart and choking on it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

you cannot see the original letter. Yes your neighbour should have said something to her face , but i know i wouldn't have if i'd known you be a b*tch about it. You obviously have a problem with your neighbour, so it might be worthwhile talking it through with her. Don't get heated up, it will make matters worse. At least then you know you've made an effort. Also don't forget if your dog is barking before 6'0 clock in the morning, it IS a nuisance and against the law. Your dog is obviously not happy that you are leaving and you need to get this sorted before the complaints get worse and your dog removed and you fined!

Answer 4

Dogs usually bark uncontrollably when they are bored. Perhaps your dog needs more interaction. Working and herding dogs tend to be worse with this because they need more stimulus.

Try moving your dog indoors more often.

There are anti bark collars that you can buy. One will squirt citronella spray whenever your dog barks. Another emits a small shock.

You should consider getting to the source of the problem about the barking though.

To anwer part number 3: Some people are afraid of retaliation when complaining to someone that they don't know. Perhaps this person was just afraid of what you might do. Maybe they thought you would get angry. I agree with you though...if you're a decent person, it's always nice to be talked to about the problem before a formal complaint is filed.

Answer 5

If people could find out who compliained about them, some would go off on one and start a feud. You cannot demand to see anything; the council won't have acted on one letter. They will have checked themselves, because they are aware that some people just complain to cause trouble. They don't like that because it wastes their time when they've got better things to do.
You may not notice your dog barking, but if its late at night and someones trying to get their kids to sleep it can be a real pain. People need their windows open in this weather which doesn't help.
If your dog is shut outdoors he'll bark more than if he's in, plus the noise will be louder for your neighbours.
I think you need to take your dog to obediance classes; get a letter from the trainer and that way you can prove you are taking steps to deal with the ptoblem.

Answer 6

First, look up the actual laws regarding animal nuisances in your town. That should explain the process and your rights. I imagine that whoever complained lives close enough to be able to hear your dog. With a little sleuthing you should be able to narrow down the person that reported your dog. Where I live, they can impose fines and even destroy an animal that has been deemed a dangerous nuisance...just barking will get you a fine. I, too, don't understand why the person didn't come to you personally instead of calling the cops. I hope that someone leaves a bag of burning dog poo on their front porch.

Answer 7

what was your dog doing? barking? length? is it outside all the time? bored? Did you tick off a neighbor? New neighbor in the area? You will have to follow the law as stated in the letter first and foremost, second you can ask due to open records laws for the complaints, and neighbors use and abuse the laws sometimes if you tick them off or if in fact your dog is barking maybe its a wake up call for you. You can also look into an anti-bark collar but each works differently and has different strengths so the first one may not work.

Answer 8

I have the same problem with my neighbours dog. Their son is off for the summer and he stays up late and leaves the dog outside wining and barking. I get annoyed to when I need to get to sleep as I have to get up earlier. I love dogs so I complain to them without threats. I have a dog but I let him out and he gives a few yelps to say he wants back in. I would like to know why your dog is outside so much. Your neighbours might be complaining for your dogs sake too. When I hear my neighbours dog I feel more sorry for the dog. Not to sound cruel but why did you get a dog if you leave it outside all of the time? My answer is let the poor thing in.

Answer 9

Solution: Get your dog properly under control and trained.

Usually dogs left outside for long periods of time will bark to come back in. If they are not let back in, they will not stop barking. They do not want to be outside.

NO you can't see the complaint letter. It is data protected and confidential

Why should they complain to your face, you seem a bit agressive, its easier to go to the council.

Answer 10

1) Besides moving, or training your dog, there isn't much you can do.
2) You can try, but, for privacy reasons, you probably won't get to see the letter.
3) Because people are afraid of a confrontation and what you might do to them if you get upset.

That being said, you have a responsibility as a dog owner to control your pets. That includes barking.