Neighbour's dog barking almost constantly, day and night - at NOTHING!!!!?

Question

Two doors up from me, live a family who allow their dog to bark day and night (often at nothing and for no reason). The ruddy thing has just woken me up again at 4.10am - IT'S DRIVING ME INSANE!! Other neighbours have complained to them, but they don't do anything about the dog.
It even spent almost half an hour barking (constantly) while it's owner was standing beside it watering the garden at 8.30pm when I was trying to get my kids to sleep.
I own dogs and control their barking - why can't they????????

Great answers so far guys! - I have shouted at it to shut up - and sometimes it does and sometimes it don't! I know my other neighbour's daughter went and had words with them last year about it - and they were pleasant wnough, but nothing changed! I don't know if it's ignorance or that they are a bit slow if you know what I mean!!
The neighbours with the dog seem to be a bit inconsiderate in other ways too - a couple of weeks ago (in the searingly hot weather) they decided to strim their overgrown front garden and burn all the lovely GREEN weeds. As it was so hot, my windows were open and my house quicly filled with smoke - setting off the smoke alarms!! My husband had a quiet word and was told there wasn't much and the fire would be done soon - two hours later, the bloke still stood outside forking heaps of weeds and grass on the fire!!! We were swealtering!!

Answer 1

You have to report them,you have to put your kids first.Its not fair on them,they need their sleep.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with my neighbours and I e-mailed the Citizens Advice Bureau. They advised me to first talk to your neighbour to see if you can sort it out(which you have already done!) The next step was to contact the police because it is against the law to have a dog barking like that non-stop, they can actually send somebody out to take the dog off these people. I know it mightn't be something that you want but you can't carry on the way you're going you'll go mad.

You've said that a few of your other neighbours have a problem with the dog as well, why don't ye all get together and see if this is a road you want to go down- there's strength in numbers.

By the way I live in Ireland but I'm sure no matter where in the world you live the laws are similar enough. Hope it all works out for you.

Answer 3

I would suggest you ring the environmental health asp, your local council will have their number, look, dogs barking incessantly is constituted as a nuisance and if they, like humans make a noise that is becoming a nuisance after 11 pm and before 7 am you are well within your rights to make a complaint about it, the environmental health will take you name but it will not be told to the people who have the noisy dogs and if they continue you just keep complaining, the first letter generally does stop the noise, I think your neighbours are either deaf by listening to their dogs barking incessantly or are wind up merchants, you can stop dogs barking by spraying water at them, not in their faces, and from a spray bottle not a hose pipe, or a few coins in a tin with the lid on rattled or shaken tends to stop them too, maybe you could suggest either of those things to your neighbour, I have a golden retriever and if she starts to bark it drives me crazy, she doesn't so it often and definitely not through the night but it is annoying and more so for people who haven't got a dog but have to put up with it, I would just suggest that every time they do something that constitutes as an annoyance to the rest of the neighbours you get in touch with the Environmental Health and leave it in their hands, good luck and hope you manage to have this problem stopped.

Answer 4

on the dog issue, the dog is calling for attention, being left out like that is probably lonley and frustrating, perhaps even a little scarey for the pet. Call the police, humane society, AND tell your neighbors that you WILL follow thru if something isnt done right away..then DO IT.
as for the burning..many places have a burn control, or no burn this time of year, check it out then act on it. Or you could get a water hose, put the fire out yourself..lafffss..that should give them a heads up!

Answer 5

Try contacting your local police department or Animal Control, there is probably an ordinance against nuisance barking. Where I live, barking is considered a nuisance after 10 pm. But even during the day, if they bark too much, I bring them in. I see no reason to let them stay outside if all they're doing is barking.

Answer 6

lol, that's pretty bad, im laughing as ive also been woken , at 4am fo next door neighbour taking bike out of shed, !?!?! shes about 70 - is she going somewhere?!
thats pretty bad about the dog, everyone on road ought to complain, or.... move home and tell new owners that all neighours are lovely, hope the dog shuts up.... xxx
p.s give dig sleeping tablets?" hehe

Answer 7

OMG- I thought you were writing about my *$#@ dog! I was ready to pack up and leave the neighborhood. I have a little yappy dog that is annoying to everyone including me. At least she is inside asleep from 8:30pm - 8am and doesn't bark then. Aside from choking her, I don't know what to do. Maybe you should choke that dog. Maybe the owner will be happy.

Answer 8

touch your city Animal administration and report a criticism. they're going to pop out and confront the kin for you.The kin won't comprehend who filed the criticism the two. would be nameless. A barking a dogs is seen demanding the peace and the city will shield it for you. If the kin does not comply they are going to be fined for the disturbance.

Answer 9

Its hard I know, I had the same thing. Petition from the whole neighbourhood. Environmental health SHOULD really investigate and act. If this and all the others answers fail, I know its cruel but REAL chocolate is lethal to dogs...... not the best solution, but people come first!

Answer 10

You can contact your local council office and complain about it there. The laws regarding noise have changed significantly over the years,and i know that this is considered a nuisance and something will eventually be done about it.You have my sympathy as i have been through something similar many years ago.It may take time but believe me it will be sorted.Good luck.

Answer 11

Because they are not good neighbors. Make a complaint to them in person, politely. Note the date and time, and who you talked to. Then, if nothing happens, send a letter to the HoA if you have one. Then a call to the police, then another call, etc. Make them all polite, but keep track of dates and times so you can make an effective complaint.