How Can I Use the Law to Stop My Neighbors Dog From Constantly Barking? Thanks.?
November 24, 2009 by Dog Lover
Filed under Dog Training
I’ve tried speaking to the owner.
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call noise control, or animal control
Check to see if they have a noise bylaw in your area?
ASPCA / SPCA should know.
just shoot the dog
To hell with the law, put out some “special” dog food for your noisy neighbor.
Yes. My mother is having trouble with just that issue. She has been taken to court and everything.
Check with your city and county to see if they have a “noise nuisance” law and find out what it is.
Usually it consists of noise between certain hours (like 11pm and 6am) and there is a specific procedure you must follow.
To give you an idea, we have the times listed above as noise nuisance times. After 1/2 hr of noise, we have to contact the owner of the animal (or kids or whatever) that is making the noise. We are to wait another 1/2 hr for them to resolve it. Then, if it is not resolved within that time, then we can call the sheriff, who will place a telephone call first. Then after that phone call, they will come to the house, etc.
Make sure you follow procedure, or they will throw out your complaint.
You CAN call the police or local animal control and they WILL be present while you talk to him again. Their presence is usually sufficient to motivate them to give the animal away or have it euthanized at the local animal shelter rather than deal with the possibility of the law getting involved the next time the dog offends your ears.
That being said… this is the main reason I will never live in town again… geez, it’s just a dog. Can’t a guy have a dog without someone wanting to call the law on him? It’s a dog… dogs bark, and pee on things… and poop in your bushes… that’s what they do.
I have three dogs, so I know how annoying the barking can get. There are many reasons dogs bark. For the most part, they are just being territorial. I don’t know how cooperative your neighbor is, but maybe they would consider dog training. If they are barking throughout the night, maybe your neighbor could bring them inside. There are more humane ways of resolving this than some of the other barbaric answers given.
Check with your local animal control, see if there is anything they can do.
It concerns me that the owner will not work with you just out of consideration. It also concerns me on the dog’s behalf. As a life long dog owner and animal lover, I’m always more concerned about the dog and why the continuous barking. Since this is how they communicate, the continuous barking means they are trying to get someones attention for whatever reason.
People like this who have little concern for others, also have very little concern for animals. This is what bothers me. It’s important that you understand that it is not the dog’s fault. If he is in distress, he is calling out for help and this is what any living animal including man would do. It could be that maybe he just doesn’t want to be outside, I don’t know. I would suggest that you check on him yourself if possible. I’m not saying to put yourself in harms way, but if you can by all means do so. Does he have water, shelter in the form of a dog house, is there a food bowl present and most of all what does his weight look like?
Does he look healthy or does he look thin and malnourished? If you can learn a little more about the dog’s condition and whether or not he is being properly cared for, you will have more to work with. Once you gain a little more knowledge on the dog, contact your local humane society and tell them your story. Many municipalities have time ordinances as well.
It’s unfortunate for both you and the dog who seem to be in a position that neither of you want to be in. I hope that things work out for the best for both you and your “furry” neighbor.
See the attached link for more information on dog barking:
Almost all cities and towns have noise bylaws, and barking dogs are included in those infractions. Contact your city by-law office. Make sure you have details though regarding the time and days of the barking… Whether it is constant… Whether the dog is left outside when the owners are away…The more details they have, the better to enforce the by-law.