how to approach neighbour whose dog is barking every night for an hour or more?

[JJ]

Every night, starting anywhere from 8-10pm, there's a dog who barks and occasionally howls off and on, 45 minutes or so at a time, for hours. Other neighbours along the street have commented on it, but no one could figure out which house it was as it's across the road and back a bit (it's a loud bark). This morning, I heard the dog and saw the owner while doing the school run, she lives around the corner and down the street, but didn't have time to stop and say anything - and, of course, I didn't quite know what to say or how to say what I wanted.

So... what should I say? It's keeping me and other people awake at night. It even woke me up a couple of nights ago.

Not sure if it's relevant, but it turns out it's the house with the "bad nanny" - ie, the nanny people around here are amazed that parents actually pay to watch their children as she seems to resent them. She doesn't do anything untowards, but makes it clear she doesn't really like them. Anyway, the owners' child goes to the school where my son is but I don't know the parents.

As it turns out, I do know one of the owners' close neighbours from school and think I'll have a word with her to see what she thinks. But I'd like to get more opinions, too!

[JJ]

Any suggestions?

[dollyshoes]

I wouldnt bother aproaching them to be honest, whats the chances theyre not aware of the horrible racket.My loony neighbours used to let their dog bark and howl for hours too, they were aware of it as they would frequently hang out of the window and yell at it to shut up.
I grassed in the end to enviromental health, its anonymous.

[JJ]

It's good to know that reporting them works! Thanks for the advice.

[NotQuiteCockney]

I don't know what it's worth saying to them.

But hi! And I bet I know which nanny you mean, at least I hope so, I hope there aren't two dreadful ones around. If it's the one I'm thinking of (name starts with M? I think? Short and round, older.) she was banned from collecting from the school your kids are at.

[JJ]

Oh no, it's not that one. She was banned? That explains why she's not around. I thought she was a childminder though - you really have to wonder who thought she'd be a good one. This one is new to the school, but not to the area. She's one of two bad nannies there now. Neither are truly awful though and don't endanger the children, they just don't seem to like them at all.

I'm going to use the opportunity to get to know the nice people across the street by asking them if it's bothering them and see if they know exactly which house. I realised this morning I forgot which one it is (have it down to one of three)! So two birds and all that.

[NotQuiteCockney]

No, I don't think she was a childminder, well, not last I heard. Yeah, I thought it was v cool that the school banned her. It was years ago, back when DS1 was still going there.