About the barking dog, get in touch with your neighborhood’s animal control office, police force, or town clerk. Every jurisdiction has its own laws addressing this problem and methods for resolving it. You should be given advice on how to handle your complaint by the office you interact with. Many places demand that you submit your complaint via a letter or formal form, and you may need to go in person to the relevant office to do so.
Can you voice an objection about the neighbor’s dog barking?
For neighbors and other members of the community, the odd bark or “woof” is normally not an issue, but when it becomes disruptive, it is sometimes viewed as inappropriate and unpleasant by many. The dog’s welfare may also be jeopardized, but if the owner is not present when the barking occurs, they might not even be aware that their dog has been barking.
There are steps you can take if a dog is barking too close to you and you’re worried:
- Consult the owner. They could not be aware that there is a problem, or they might be attempting to fix it by utilizing some of the above advice.
What constitutes a dog barking too much?
A dog will occasionally bark for natural reasons, such as when the mailman comes to bring the mail or when visitors arrive. However, canine barking noise can be a frequent source of annoyance, tension, and inconvenience. How much is too much, then?
Your neighbors may be able to plainly hear the noise of your dog barking depending on where you live, especially if it barks outside or you reside in an attached home.
Try to imagine yourself as your neighbors to determine whether the amount of barking is excessive. How long before you would find it unpleasant if someone were producing a noise that you considered upsetting, like playing music or banging something?
When a dog barks excessively and unreasonably, issues occur. Even if you can tolerate severe barking, it is unreasonable to anticipate that your neighbors will.
Excessive barking can take many different forms, such as continuous barking for longer than a minute or two, frequent intermittent barking over extended durations, and barking in the early morning or late at night.
What can I do about the noisy dogs of my neighbors?
Make contact with the local animal control officials and ask them to enforce the noise ordinances. Make a police call. File a small claims lawsuit for nuisance.
How do I silence my neighbor’s dog?
In concept, dogs are wonderful. They are devoted, faithful friends who will sit by your side after a challenging day and incline their heads sympathetically when you are feeling down. However, some dogs enjoy the sound of their own barking. It’s especially annoying if your neighbor’s dog enjoys barking all night or yapping whenever you come close to their house. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get that puppy to shut up and acquire the solitude you require without coming out as rude.
Talk to your neighbor first
It should go without saying, but before trying anything else, chat to your neighbor. They may not be aware that their dog is barking excessively, such as when they are out at work, or they may be aware of the problem and actively resolving it. Don’t accuse them harshly because it will just make them defend themselves; instead, give them the benefit of the doubt.
It’s crucial that you conduct this in person. The greatest strategy to avoid a confrontation may seem to be to leave an anonymous letter on their door, but this is the method that they are most likely to disregard. Let them know who they’re affecting by speaking with them in person. Utilize this as a chance to get to know them better and win their favor so they’ll want to address the problem. If you don’t communicate with your neighbors, you’re contributing to half the issue.
Point them in the proper direction if they are inexperienced dog owners who are unsure of what to do. Provide them with resources for bark training advice, such as those from the Humane Society, or direct them to a reputable dog trainer in your region. They’re more inclined to try it if you do the work and provide the information.
How much time can a dog bark?
Your dog may not start to tire of barking for a very long time. A dog may occasionally bark nonstop for as long as a few days!
Although your dog won’t get hurt by barking, you may need to address the root of the barking.
Boredom, communication, attention-seeking, compulsive behavior, stress, fear, and the drive to protect one’s territory are a few possible causes of excessive barking.
Rewarding good behavior, eliminating the trigger, stimulus desensitization, mental training, and physical activity are all potential remedies to stop the excessive barking.
Even if your dog’s barking may be inconvenient, the best course of action is not always to ignore it. A responsible dog owner will always take the cause of their dog’s excessive barking into consideration.
What is the legal position on canine barking?
Even while everyone wants to live in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood and community, this is not always the case because you (sadly) cannot pick your neighbors. Which raises the question: What legal options do I have if my neighbor’s pets are making a lot of noise and generating a lot of annoyance that can’t be ignored? Dog barking is considered a noise nuisance, which is defined as a noise that disturbs, impairs, or could disturb, impair, any person’s convenience or serenity. [1]
The first step in solving any conflict with a neighbor is to speak with them personally and attempt an amicable resolution. However, what if this is impossible because the neighbors are rarely home and are consequently uninformed of the intensity of the animal’s barking, howling, or bothersome noise? Luckily, you have more legal options available if a compromise or agreement cannot be reached.
Even though some Body Corporates and Home Owners Associations have provisions for pet-keeping rules and regulations, the following also applies:
a) While the Environmental Conservation Act[2] and the National Noise Control Regulations do offer guidelines in these kinds of circumstances, local authorities are actually responsible for putting them into practice. Noise disturbance and noise annoyance are prohibited in Gauteng according to the bylaws. The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipal By-laws, sometimes known as “the by-laws,” particularly address dog annoyance under Section 29.
b) According to Section 29(1)(a) of the bylaws, it is illegal to own a dog that regularly or excessively barks, howls, or whirls, causing a disturbance or a nuisance.
[3]
c) According to Section 5(d) of the bylaws, no owner is permitted to retain more than three dogs or cats that are at least six months old on a property that is zoned for special residential uses.
[4]
The by-laws are there, but the challenge is making them effective and enforcing them.
- The Health Practitioner may order the impounding of any animal that is kept in violation of any provision of the by-laws, as stated in Section 32 of the by-laws. A neighbor who violates or disobeys the National Noise Control Regulations and the Environmental Conservation Act may be subject to fines up to R20 000 or a two-year maximum sentence in prison. [6]
- Alternately, the complaint may approach a court of law for additional relief if the Municipality does not investigate or make a finding, or if the neighbors continue to cause a noise nuisance. An application for an interdict can be issued to stop the neighbor from continuing to cause or permit such a nuisance if the noise’s persistence is deemed illegal or threatens to be illegal. The courts will need to take each incident, as well as the surrounding facts and circumstances, into consideration.
Despite the fact that the law provides for an owner to safeguard his or her right to the unhindered use and enjoyment of their property, an owner must exercise caution while filing numerous applications in our already overburdened courts. In order to assess whether a reasonable person would believe the nuisance to be unconstitutional, the courts will evaluate each case on its own merits. The complainant may find themselves paying excessive expenses if the court determines that the problem might have been settled amicably or with alternative procedures.
Showzone CC and Others v. Lasky and Others (5988/06) ZAWCHC 50 ([2006]); 4 All SA 1162 ([2007]) (30 October 2006)
It is not recommended that you use or rely on this article as legal counsel or on the advice of any other professional. No responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any of the information provided, may be accepted. For specific legal advice, always get in touch with your lawyer.
If a neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking, can you call the police?
If your neighbor’s dog is barking, you can call the police, but you should never phone 911 to report a barking dog. Call the non-emergency number for the police. However, bear the following in mind before dialing 911:
- The possibility of calling the cops could make a bad situation worse. Only try this after you’ve exhausted all other options. (See the section below on using ultrasonic training tools to put an end to unwelcome barking.) Keep in mind that you still need to be close to your neighbors.
- The cops may have a limited range of options. The police may be ineffective unless your neighbor is breaching the law (and it may be up to you, the complainant, to provide proof).
- They may suggest that you contact animal control or another organization that deals with the enforcement of nuisance animal codes.
- Typically, there isn’t a quick fix for neighborhood barking dogs. The dog will eventually leave again, despite the cops asking your neighbor to keep it inside. You might need to make several calls.
What the UK’s laws are about barking dogs?
Although it’s normal for dogs to bark, a dog that constantly howls or barks might be quite upsetting or irritating to your neighbors. You might not be aware that there is a problem because this issue frequently arises while you are away from home. A barking dog may constitute a “statutory noise nuisance” under the law. If you don’t take action to stop the nuisance, you (as the owner) could be prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. There might be a 5,000 fine for this.
Complaining about a nuisance dog
Please fill out the Noise Complaint Form to report a barking dog. Both your address and the place where the noise is originating from must be provided. Following your complaint, you will receive a diary to document instances of dog noise. The diary often lasts for two to three weeks. The council won’t be able to pursue your complaint since it needs the diary for evidence if you don’t keep it current with incidents of disturbance.
We send a letter to the place where it is rumored the dog is kept at the same time we deliver the journal to you. This clarifies any potential legal ramifications and provides the dog’s owner an opportunity to find a solution without the council getting involved.
We shall conduct an impartial investigation if the barking diary is returned and it reveals that there may be a statutory noise nuisance. Around the times the diary identifies as issue times, we will do some monitoring visits. If our surveillance reveals that there is a statutory nuisance, we will take the necessary steps to address the issue. When possible, we try to engage with the dog owner to find a solution instead of resorting to legal action, which we consider the final option.
Things you can try to reduce barking
- A food ball or a kong might work for you. As the dog is occupied and diverted by attempting to get at the food you place within them, these aid in preventing boredom.
- Request that a friend or family member check on the dog.
- Keep the TV or radio on to block out outside noise and serve as a calming distraction.
- Think about boarding the dog while you are at work or hiring a dog walking service.
- Online, there are several articles on how to lessen separation anxiety, which can make your dog bark. But perseverance and patience are required.
Is dog barking considered a rude behavior?
Dog barking is not inherently antisocial unless it becomes persistent. Dogs occasionally bark, which is normal, but if it happens frequently or late at night, it may become a nuisance. Additionally, you can inform the Environmental Health Team of your local government about barking dogs.
Is it legal to report a dog’s barking in the UK?
Additionally, the issue frequently arises while the owner is away from the residence, so the owner is unaware of the issue until a complaint is made.
Your local council will handle complaints of excessive or unreasonable noise if a solution can’t be reached amicably.
Under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990, officers look into complaints, but they can only take action if they determine that the complaint is a statutory nuisance.
Here is a legal guide for dog owners, including important information:
Who should I call to complain about a barking dog?
Don’t call the police or the RSPCA unless you have a serious concern about a dog’s welfare or safety; instead, get in touch with your local council.
We’ve made a direct link to each council’s website because the methods for contacting the Greater Manchester councils vary slightly.
