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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

bloody next-door neighbours and their bloody dogs.

40 replies

ThePoorMansBeckySharp · 29/01/2013 22:43

Family have just bought the house next door. They have 2 kids, 3 cats and 7 dogs. Council rules say on a property their size you can have 2 dogs unless neighbours agree more. He has just turned up with a form for us to sign saying we are fine with them having 7 dogs. We are not fine with them having 7 dogs. Their yapping is driving us insane. I don't want them to have to get rid of 5 cherished family pets but for fuck's sake! Now what? AIBU?

OP posts:
Nandocushion · 30/01/2013 03:39

Don't sign. My neighbour has three (also only allowed two) and they drive us potty. I doubt anyone with seven dogs is going to be a good neighbour.

Original poster
ThePoorMansBeckySharp · 30/01/2013 04:17

I would say their front yard is about 8 metres by 10 metres (they also have a covered deck out the back).

OP posts:
zipzap · 30/01/2013 07:43

Is there something on the form you can sign to say no? You don't want them to sign it for you...

What did you say to them when they asked? And do you know the neighbours on the other side - will be much easier to say no if they are going to as well. Again, you don't want to discover that they tell you the other side are happy so you feel obliged to say yes too and then discover they did exactly the same to the other neighbours too.

Original poster
ThePoorMansBeckySharp · 30/01/2013 08:13

He didnt say much really. Couldnt seem to see ur point of view at ll.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePoorMansBeckySharp · 30/01/2013 21:19

forgot to say, he said council rules didn't apply if you looked after your dogs properly Hmm

OP posts:
StuntGirl · 30/01/2013 22:43

Of course they don't, he's just asking you to sign the council forms for the fun of it!

Could he feasibly keep that many animals without causing a disturbance to you? If you don't think he could, and he hasn't taken the time to introduce himself properly and explain himself and his circumstances and how he's going to minimise any negative effects on you, his new neighbour, I'd be inclined to not sign it.

Southeastdweller · 31/01/2013 20:54

In a similar situation so can empathise. We don't work from home but I think if we did then I for one would probably have killed their dogs by now.

Don't sign the form.

ChasingDogs · 31/01/2013 21:59

That's a really awful situation. Stuck between not wanting to make an enemy of your new neighbour but not being able to tolerate their dogs racket. If it is a case that they're just settling in is there any chance you could tell him that you won't sign the form at the moment, but you might consider it in a months time provided that they've shown that they can shut the dogs up/get them to settle quickly when they start off barking?

I love dogs and my current hairy ball and chain is a typical German Shepherd, so very quick to alert bark if he thinks something iffy is happening around my place or my closest neighbours houses. There's just the one of him though, and I also work from home so can give him the shut the fuck up quiet command once I've checked out whatever has set him off. Listening to seven of them going off all day whilst I was trying to work would absolutely do my box in!

Nandocushion · 01/02/2013 02:44

DON'T SIGN. You sound like you're considering it. I'd contact the council and let them know you aren't in agreement just in case he tries to pull a fast one.

If he's anything like my neighbour, if you sign, he will at some point get himself more dogs, on the basis that you're okay with the ones he's got so far.

MissPants · 01/02/2013 07:30

How on earth do they manage to walk 7 dogs properly? I have 2 but had 3 until we lost our big girl last year, and walking them all was a challenge. 7 would be impossible surely?

I wouldn't sign the form, I would approach the council and explain that you aren't comfortable with the amount of dogs they have but you are worried about potential bad feeling if you refuse to sign the form. It's terribly unrealistic of the council to expect this kind of thing to be resolved between neighbours in this way. They have to suggest something that takes the onus off you as far as the neighbour is concerned whilst still allowing you to express an opinion on the matter.

atthewelles · 01/02/2013 10:32

I agree with MissPants. Incredibly unfair situation for the Council to put neighbours in. I would definitely contact them and see what the options are.

atthewelles · 01/02/2013 10:33

Also, what would happen if you signed the form and moved house a few months later. Would the next set of neighbours just have to put up with the seven dogs. Surely that would be unfair also. The Council must have more say in it than your neighbour is making out.

Yfronts · 01/02/2013 11:18

if they were 7 very quiet dogs it would be manageable but they are not are they? Don't sign.

Yfronts · 01/02/2013 11:18

He may forge your signature? Any chance you could ring the council and day you are unhappy.

charlearose · 01/02/2013 12:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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