I have a neighbor who rescues dogs and I love dogs (I have 3 myself), but her dogs bark ALL DAY and?

Question

continually wake up my napping baby and my husband (who works at night). I don't even know my neighbors' names (we moved in just a few weeks ago)- how can I politely, but firmly get her to take care of her animals? Thanks!

Answer 1

You can either just go over and talk to them about it, or call the police and complain about the noise.

Answer 2

Since you just moved in, how about taking some cookies or brownies over and introduce yourself? What about also bringing over some doggie treats? That lets her know that you are a fan of dogs...she will be much more receptive to your head's up. In the course of conversation, steer the talk to pets and then the dogs. Casually mention that sometimes they are a bit loud, particularly in the evening. Make sure that you only bring this up after you have had a chance to connect on a personal level - you don't want to forever ruin your relationship with your new neighbor!!

If they continue to make noise, wait a week and chat with her again, again starting with unrelated conversation and then bringing it up. Start conversation with other neighbors about their thoughts on the issue - they might also be willing to say something to the neighbor if they know that someone else is on board w/them. (The classic 'question in a classroom' scenerio -- if you have a question or complaint, chances are there are many others with the same.)

If they STILL are barking and out of control, wait two or three days and be more direct, stating that you love dogs and enjoy having pets in the neighborhood, but you wonder if there is anything that you could do to help out in keeping them from being so loud in the evenings.

If after several days they are STILL barking, contact your local police. Almost every city has a version of a noise ordinance for the evenings and a "disturbance of the peace" ordinance for the days.

Answer 3

She may not realize they're barking all the time. Is she there when it's happening? When my dogs bark, some spots in the house you can hear them, and some spots not so much.

If she's rescueing, she probably is a nice person, trying to do the right thing. But that doesn't mean your should suffer. Make her a nice cake or something and go over to introduce yourself. Then explain to her what's going on, and the hours that you need it to be especially quiet.

She may be very understanding and fix the problem. Or she could be an idiot (like my neighbor) and make all kinds of terroristic psycho threats if you don't let her do whatever she wants. Oh. In that case, call the police ASAP.

Answer 4

All cities and towns have a noise ordinance law. You can (and this is exactly what I did) contact the police each and every time those dogs bark obsessively and complain. They will come out and talk to the owners the first time and give them a warning. For each time they have to come to that address again the owners of those dogs will receive a ticket. The ticket increase each time the police are sent out.

I did this and sooner or later my neighbor got the hint and started better caring for his poor dog.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Being polite rarely works with inconsiderate jerks like that, some of whom actually think a neurotic dog who barks all day long is a good "watchdog".

Depending on where you live, there may be an Animal Control department which will handle complaints like that.

In my town (in California), the AC dep't can seize the dog if three people write letters within a month (yes, it usually requires a "campaign" due to neighbor apathy) and if the dog continues to bark after the formal warning.

Answer 6

call the local spca and report disturbance- ask that you not have to give your name, that this is a residential area and the dogs are out back barking all day long etc... also inform them you, among other residents have babies who nap and are wakened by the constant barking. If you go to this woman, it will go in one ear and out the other, and if you then decide to take further action, she will know it is you. People like this will not change their ways unless warned by authorities about noise ordinances etc.. Plus it is like approaching a parent, say anything about a woman's child and the chew your head off, their kids/pets do no wrong now days. Save yourself humiliation and trouble, get to the root of the problem quietly.

Answer 7

You have to talk to her (verbal or written) Tell her exactly what you have written here -- that you love dogs and appreciate what she's doing, but the dogs are continually waking the baby and your husband up. Give her a couple of days to work things out and if you notice even just a little improvement, thank her. But let her know that it's still affecting your lives.

If she has that many dogs that she cannot take care of them (i.e. control their barking), then she has too many dogs.

Answer 8

I would not approach your neighbor directly with this issue. The type of person who is not considerate enough to realize that they should not be disturbing their neighbors in the first place will usually not react well to being confronted no matter how nicely you do it. I would learn what the noise ordinance laws are in your area, and notify the authorities if your neighbor is violating the ordinance...which it sounds like is the case. Maybe you can try to introduce yourself and casually mention that you have a baby and that it is having trouble sleeping because of neighborhood noise...like barking dogs. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I would start by politely explaining that your husband works nights and has to sleep during the day and it also is disturbing the baby. Don't make too much fuss initialy and see what happens. She is doing a good deed and was there first - I assume it does'nt bother other neighbours - try getting their angle on it. It is never good moving into a new area only to start complaining, especially if it does'nt bother anyone else. If it does, then there is strength in numbers.!!

Answer 10

See if your City or County has a code regarding this. This is my County's code:
8.08.030 Prohibited conduct.
No owner of any animal, wild or domestic, except the domestic cat, shall permit or allow said animal to do any of the following things:
A. Run at large;
B. Trespass upon public property or upon any private property;
C. Habitually make loud noise for a period of fifteen consecutive minutes or longer, or act in such a manner so as to constitute a public nuisance. Violation of this subsection shall constitute an infraction. (Ord. 1436 §1(part), 1997).

Then talk with the neighbors and try to settle it amicably. If you can't, call Animal Control.

-MM

Answer 11

Just go knock on her door and introduce yourself first since you haven't met her yet. Then say something like, "I don't want to be rude but I have a baby who constantly gets woken up because your dogs bark very often/all day- I wasn't sure if you could do something about it." Just be polite but firm about having them not bark all day. If you aren't comfortable with confronting her just leave her a polite note in her mailbox and if it doesn't stop, then leave another saying you will have to report her for noise complaints if she doesn't take care of it immediately.