What can I do about loud dogs next door?

Question

My neighbor has two large dogs that both bark incessantly! Sometimes they bark nonstop (literally!) for hours. Some weeks, they wake me up every night. I have called animal control twice now because they always find a way to get out of the yard and I thought that maybe animal control would pick them up. Each time a stupid neighbor lady ran out and told the animal control guy that the dogs belonged to so and so and not to take them. What would happen if I called the police? Can they do anything? Is it not something I should expect the police to handle since it's not an emergency? I don't want to start a rift with the neighbor so suggestions other than talking to him would be nice :)

P.S. While I'm awake from their barking, I fantasize about ways to kill them... however, that's not an option for me either so don't tell me to shoot 'em! :)

Answer 1

I had the same problem with my neighbor's dog. The dog barked all hours of the day and night and my bedroom window was facing their back yard.

I bought one of those high frequency electronic dog trainers and just "beeped" it out the window each time the dog barked for two or three nights. I couldn't hear a thing, but the dog would stop barking each time and look around. Would you believe the dog actually quit barking after those two to three nights? It was weird. The neighbors never knew how irritating their dog had been for over two years and the dog wasn't hurt in any way, so it was a win-win situation.

On the down side, I actually bought the stupid thing to try to train my dog and she completely ignored it. It had no effect on her, at all. (barking wasn't her problem, though)

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If animal control has not been any help, please call the police and look into any noise variances that might be in affect. If so, the police can be called.

First, I would try to talk to the neighbor first though... tell them politely that you value your rest and need to sleep, and there are a lot of times where that is not possible because of the dogs barking. I had the same problem a while ago. After nights of incessant barking, (and finally at 3 in the morning...) I googled their address, got their phone number and called, she apologized and brought the dogs in. They occasionally still bark for a little bit, but she's been pretty good about getting them in now.

Try talking to them, if that doesn't work, call the police... not 911, but the normal local number and see what they can do. Good luck

Answer 4

In the vast majority of jurisdictions, the police do not handle animal control complaints, so they will not go out to speak to your neighbor about his barking dog. You are still entitled to police protection, however. So if you feel threatened by the owner of a barking dog, you can ask the police to accompany you to ensure your safety when you call on the neighbor with your latest request that he quiet his dog. Taking the police with you may be an especially good idea when you suspect heavy alcohol or methamphetamine use.

For whatever reason, many people are extremely uneasy with the prospect of the police showing up unannounced at their doorstep. Even if the officer is just there to keep you company while you ask them to take responsibility for their dog, or make arrangements with them so you can once again use the inside of your home, it doesn't matter. There are some people who don't want cops around under any circumstance, and they will gladly train their dogs rather than face the prospect of future police visits.

Answer 5

If you are within city limits, most city's have ordinances that DO require owners to be responsible for the noise their pets make. My step-mother called in noise complaints (try for Monday-Thursday - more likely to get a response) and the owners were first warned, then cited, then ordered to court and the judge required the owner to take action and follow up with the court. You can call your local Police Department by looking them up in the phone book (don't call 9-1-1) and asking about noise violations throughout the night. Ask their suggestions, then find a neighbor or two who is also tired of the noise and give them the info as well. It takes some time, patience, but is legal and effective =)

Answer 6

If you can talk to the neighbor with the barking dogs, maybe suggest someone who trains dogs (really owners) regarding this behavior you can see what her reaction will be. If she is hostile, talk to other neighbors and all of you call Animal Control about it. Explain how her dogs get out and how they bark all the time and what she does when they have come out before. At least they may fine her this time and she will think seriously about what she needs to do. Those dogs are likely bored and left in the yard all day and night. Poor dogs. Sorry you have to be disturbed like you are being too, because of stupid owners.

Answer 7

Call animal control and the police. Tell the people at animal control that the dogs' owner has been warned.They are disturbing the peace.
One solution I saw on TV: Record the dogs barking and play it back right under the neighbors' window at night very loudly. Keep it up until something is done. I would also report that the dogs are being abused because no one is taking care of them when they bark.
One more suggestion: Call the owners in the middle of the night while the dogs are barking and complain. Tell them that if you can't sleep, neither should they.

Answer 8

Many towns have laws concerning barking dogs, often with time parameters such as 20 minutes of barking and the owner becomes libel to a summons. However Police depts. don't always make this a high priority. People who can't be bothered to see to it that their dogs do not bark pointlessly have no business owning dogs.

Answer 9

I for one have to agree with the kill the ba*tards and screw the neighbors because the police don't have the authority to do sh*t for the Innocent but be on the strange side of the law and your in the clear! I live in a trailer park and you don't have any say in who they move in next you so you end up getting someone who has a loud exhaust or play their music loud or park in front of your parking place all the time, so I can sympathize with you but there is no justice for the little people, were just here to pay taxes and die! Oh yea you had better stay healthy while doing it too so you don't become a strain on your insurance company or your fired! I could tell you how to take the microwave unit out of your microwave and hook it up to a motion detector so when the dogs walk by your fence they get a good dose of deadly microwaves and soon die but that's illegal too! P.S. Iam a high tech prick!

Answer 10

Talk to the owners of the dogs if you get nowhere with them keep calling animal control and the ASPCA explain to the owners that if there dogs bite you or threaten you in anyway other legal action will be needed and that the dogs could be destroyed keep a log of everytime you have called the police for the courts