Neighbours complained about my dog. AIBU in how this has made me feel?

[Tazzyduffy]

I have just received an anonymous typed letter in the post addressed to the 'occupier'.

Essentially the letter was complaining that my dog was tied outside barking between 14.00-16.00 on Saturday and stopped a baby getting to sleep.

I fully appreciate that this would be extremely annoying for the parents, however I am very upset that their approach is to send an anonymous letter. I don't understand why they couldn't call to the door to speak to us or put their name and telephone number on it. There is no doubt who it is, as there is only one house with a baby in the area.

I am an absolute dog lover and my dog is well treated, walked 3 times a day, very much part of the family and rarely left alone for more than a couple of hours. I am not only distressed at their approach, but also the insinuation that I am a neglectful pet owner.

This has taken a lot out of me and I would really appreciate others thoughts/ views. Would you ignore the letter or approach them?

Knock on their door, apologise unreservedly and let them know you're a reasonable person and would like them to knock on your door and speak to you next time.

Was your dog barking outside between 14.00 and 16.00?

Yanbu.

They could have tried talking to you first.

But did your dog bark outside for two hours?

They are not insinuating you are neglectful they are complaining about barking.

If the letter is anonymous there's not much you can do about it . They probably sent it anonymous because they know they probably haven't got their facts right and don't want any irate comeback . Some people just don't like dogs and will make up stuff just to vent their hatred of dogs .

littlelion how can she, she doesn't know who sent the letter?

OP, why was your dog tied up outside barking for 2 hours?

Was your dog tied up outside for two hours barking? If so, why? As great an owner as you sound, and I'm sure you love your dog, I don't think that is acceptable. If he/she was barking for two hours straight not only is it extremely annoying to neighbours but the animal is also clearly unhappy/distressed.

TenForward she says in the OP that she knows who it is.

Was your dog outside and barking?

Might not be neighbours with baby, might be a relative if the parents grumbled to their wider family.

Very self centred approach - all about how the letter has made you feel. How do you think they felt listening to your dog barking for 2 hours?

Tensor ward she says she knows who sent it. There's nothing stopping the op approaching them and asking.

Well was your dog outside barking from 14.00 and 16.00?

Apologues, primal, missed that!

Much as it sounds cowardly, I hate confrontation of any sort so would go down the letter route.

Your dog sounds well cared for and exercised, so I,can't understand why it needs to be tied up for two hours, could it not be left indoors, in a crate if necessary?

Tensor ward? Wtf? Damn autocorrect - I mean TenForward!

Nothing worse than dogs barking for hours on end. As a nightshift worker desperately trying to sleep in the day ( so as to remain safe in my job at night) this is the number one thing that keeps me awake despite the best earplugs I can buy.

Yes the dog was outside. In the sun, with food and water and her toys. This is where she would be most mornings and there is never a problem. Another neighbour keeps an eye on her and there has never been a problem. The letter said that they were upset that the dog was distressed. I checked again with other neighbour and she advised that she was not aware of any issue. At the end of the day, I do not have a problem with them complaining, especially if stressed with a baby, but I am hurt by the anonymous nature and it has left me feeling very uncomfortable in the neighbourhood. Thankfully we are moving next spring!

Why was your dog tied up outside and barking for so long? I'm sorry op but if that's the case that would drive me crazy too. We have a dog at the back of our house that is allowed out all hours (dog flap) and barks from 6am sometimes on and off as it goes in and out. It's so annoying.

Did this really warrant two threads?!

I don't like listening to a distressed dog, for any length of time.

They're probably at the end of their tether with a new baby, maybe go round and apologise?

Well regardless of it being an anonymous letter, you being a dog lover, walking your dog three times a day etc, was your dog tied up outside and left to bark for two hours?

Ha, I like that lion, might make it my new name! Yes, apologies, just saw that.

My sister hates confronting people, it actually makes her ill. So what ends up happening is she puts up with other people's bad behaviour. Maybe your neighbour is similar.
Apologise and be more mindful of how your pet is affecting others.

Was your dog outside barking for a 2 hour stretch or not? If they were - well, it's unacceptable. Rather than brooding, make sure you don't do it again.

If it is not true, then I can see why you're annoyed but would suggest you just try and get past it. If you suspect you know who wrote the note, you could go and talk tothem.

If they said the dog was barking, it's likely it was barking. Go apologise.

When you have been infuriated by something and you want to make a point, it is often easier to do so in a format where you can collect your thoughts and say your piece without worrying that you are going to get into an argument. I'm not really sure why the fact that this letter was anonymous bothers you so much - unless they were threatening you or being unduly aggressive, then the fact that they chose this method to communicate with you possibly suggests that they don't know you and were worried about potential repercussions for them if they confronted you in person. You only have to read these boards to see how quickly a neighbourly relationship can deteriorate if one party feels as though they are being criticised.