Barking dog next door

[Shnorbitz]

I've posted before under a different user name about the dog next door.

The poor thing clearly has separation anxiety and howls and barks every time its owners are out

I contacted our local dog warden, provided record sheets over 6 weeks of the howling and barking but they weren't interested.

Fast forward 8 months or so and the situation hasn't gotten any better.

They appear to be away this week and their adult daughter has been visiting. Except the dog is barking from 7am every until around 4pm. Until today that is. I had the 7 till 4 howling/barking then I think said daughter came back and maybe fed the dog and closed the curtains.

It's now nearly 10 o'clock and the dog has been barking since 5pm. There appears to be a light on in the hall but because the lounge curtains are closed I can't see if there are other lights on.

It's annoying yes, but I'm more concerned about the dog, having one myself.

The RSPCA weren't interested last time either.

What can I do if anything????

Our neighbours will not speak to us, won't answer the door if we knock so reasoning with them isn't an answer.

I would be mortified if I knew my dog was like this whether I'm out for 10 minutes or an hour. Luckily my dog is a big sleeper

FWIW the woman in the house only used to work on a Friday but now it's Mon to Fri and they spend a lot of time out of the house over the weekend. They do sometimes leave the tv on but I don't think the dog is in to watching tv!.

[squeak10]

I can't believe the RSPCA weren't interested I would call them again. Not only is the dog obviously stressed and being neglected but not nice for you

[Shnorbitz]

I've sent an email to the RSCPA and the local council this morning. Dog has been on its own again since 7am this morning.

I can actually hear the dog jumping up and down in the lounge trying to look out of the window.

[BiteyShark]

Whilst it may not be right and I am definitely not saying I agree with it does it really come under the law of neglect if it has shelter, food and access to medical treatment if needed? Would you not be better going down the route of contacting noise control with the council instead?

[Wishiwasmoiradingle2017]

Environmental health is who to contact. . Have done it a few times over the years.

[Shnorbitz]

Yeah, that's who I went through at the council. I collected noise records for around 6 weeks and they said they weren't interested in taking it forward.

I just got a response back from the RSPCA.... 'Whilst we understand your concerns about the length of time the dog is left, it is a working day and cannot be classed as excessive'.

So 15 hours with one visit for around 1/2 an hour isn't excessive????

The dog has no company, no means of going to the toilet and is scared, nice!

[BiteyShark]

Yes as I expected because I think you would have to show it had no shelter, being starved, physical violence or not having access to treatment if ill to prosecute. Unfortunately being sad, lonely and barking won't come into the law of neglect hence thinking about going down the noise aspect so the owners had to do something but it sounds like you have already tried that.

[georgedawes]

Poor dog and poor you must be horrible to listen to. Not surprised the rspca won't do anything...they never do!

Is their house rented or owned? If rented could you complain to the landlord?

[Shnorbitz]

Unfortunately it's owned and not rented.

I've emailed Environmental Health again so we'll see what happens.

Although the barking is an annoyance I really feel for the dog.

I don't think it's been socialized well either as I've witnessed that when they are out walking with the dog they actually cross the road if they see another dog on the same side because their dog will bark and lunge at other dogs.

I have sound recordings on my phone of the dog howling and barking - one that's two hours long! I'm hoping I might get a chance to play it to the dog warden.

[SparklingRaspberry]

I personally would be having a go at the horrible irresponsible arseholes once they're back!!!

Call the nearest rehoming centre to you, even if it's an hour away, explain the situation to them and how you've called the RSPCA. They will most likely contact them themselves which will be taken more seriously - even though your call alone should've been taken seriously!

I'd also call the RSPCA and say if they don't follow your call up you'll be making a public complaint. They'll be round before you put the phone down.

They can be either really good, or sadly really really shit

[Shnorbitz]

I think they got the dog initially for their son, he's 9 or so and the novelty has clearly worn off.

I really want to knock on their door and casually say 'Why have you actually got a dog', see what they say and then tell rant at them that leaving a dog on its own for hours on end is not what having a dog is about. And then I'll play them one of the sound recordings.

Do you think a rescue centre would be interested? Would it need to be a mainstream one?

[BiteyShark]

Interestingly all I can find is a possiblility of a noise abatement order and a fine if you don't comply. There doesn't appear to be anything on the length you can leave a dog hence why the rspca probably wasn't that interested.

Horrible for you and the dog but tricky to solve because if the neighbours are happy to leave the dog that long I can't see them being that bothered about you complaining somehow.

[Shnorbitz]

I agree @ Bitey. They aren't the sharpest tools in the box either so I don't think care of the dog is high on their radar.

We're planning to move this year, not because of the dog, but it's going to be nightmare scheduling viewings around when they are in so we can avoid howling dog noises. I feel sorry for whoever buys our house but hopefully they'll be people the neighbours actually don't ignore and the issue might (wishful thinking) get sorted.

[Wolfiefan]

How awful. Must be horrible to hear and the dog must be so distressed.
I think a noise complaint will be the only way forward. A rescue centre could only help if the owners wanted it rehomed. They don't have any legal powers.

[BiteyShark]

On a practical level with moving would the noise still be heard if you had a nice classical radio station on in the background for viewings. Also remember you do have to declare official issues with neighbours.

This still doesn't help the dog but I think you are between a rock and a hard place if you are wanting to move. Do you have any other neighbours that it affects that might take on the fight for you?

With doggie day care and dog walkers people really do have other options with leaving dogs but some people really won't pay for that or simply don't care.

[piginboots]

I appreciate this may not be possible, but could you consider approaching the adult daughter, in a very polite, friendly manner (and I realise that this will not be how you are actually feeling!) approach it from POV of being worried about the dog being unhappy and try to get her on side? Of course, this might not be appropriate at all depending on your previous history with her..

[SparklingRaspberry]

Obviously the rescue centre can't remove the dog from the owners, however if you explain the situation to them and let them know you've contacted the RSPCA but they've done nothing, they may contact the RSPCA themselves. Which is more likely to get them to take action.

It doesn't have to be a mainstream one but that's the type I'd personally go for.
If not do the same plan but call the vets instead.

i would also be having words with the people though. They sound horrible and the poor dog deserves much better.