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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To report my neighbour..

55 replies

ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:11

I don't like the idea of reporting my neighbour but this is getting ridiculous

Little back story
Neighbour bought the attached house to mine about 2 years ago give or take
Friendly guy
Not home a lot
We have had a chat about the noise his dogs make pretty much all night long and he always says I'll bring them in or check what's triggering them and then a few days later it's back to the same noise

My 3 year old is scared to sleep in his own room because the neighbours two dogs bark constantly all day and all night
And even if I do get my 3 year old to sleep in his room he's usually woken up from the noise
We swapped rooms hoping that my husband and I can just ignore the noise but now it's disturbing mine and my husbands sleep waking us up every hour
And I have a small baby now so she is being disturbed also

Now the neighbour has his kids only on weekends and when they are there we can hear banging and running up and down the stairs shouting and screaming
None of that bothers us at all we have two small kids so our house isn't the quietest
But the dogs all night long is just too much
Nobody's getting any sleep

I know other neighbours must have complained because about a month ago I got a letter in the post from the council saying that people are complying about "my dogs barking" assuming it was coming from my house
We did call them and informed them that is was in fact next door
And we were hoping that the letter would get him to take action in either keeping them inside at night or anything else
But it's been a month and we're still gotten woken up

At 3am last night my whole house was woken up by the loud barking and I was sat with two exhausted screaming children till about 4:30 when I finally got them back to sleep

This is a long post but I'm just going crazy with exhaustion

Would I be unreasonable to report him again? Should I just wait to see if the council who is already aware of the noise does something? Do you think me calling them would make a difference? What would you do?

OP posts:
Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:13

So many typos sorry I'm so tired

OP posts:
snitzelvoncrumb · 30/03/2023 01:14

I would try one of those anti barking things that beep and annoy the dogs first then report him.

Ponoka7 · 30/03/2023 01:21

Report and keep reporting, until environmental health take notice.

Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:23

Ooo @snitzelvoncrumb never heard of this
I'll search about it

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 30/03/2023 01:25

sounds like a nightmare, yes, I would report, and start keeping a diary right now, each night, times of barking, and effect on you

Youdoyoubabe · 30/03/2023 01:26

Dogs are blinking annoying but if something sets them off at night there is not much can be done. One of mine does it too.

Also, never go to Portugal! It is like the 101 Dalmatian’s there dogs barking in every direction all day and night. Doesn’t bother the Portuguese one iota, they are just used to it.

if it has been 2 years though goodness. I don’t know what to say except maybe get a cockerel!

HighInfidelity · 30/03/2023 01:30

Councils generally need proof before they will take action so it’s worth asking what they will accept. They might offer noise recording equipment or ask you to download an app to record the barking.

Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:31

Honestly I just ignored it for so long
In the summer it's a nightmare trying to use my garden
Not only do they bark but they are large dogs and jump up on the fence
They started digging under my fence as well and got loose soil all over my garden
And when it's hot we can't have any windows open at night cause of the noise last year was a nightmare when it was 35 degrees and we had to open windows

We just moved our son out of his room and all slept in my room
But now I have another baby we can't all fit anymore and my son is 3 going on 4 he needs his own bed and room

I understand that any little thing can make a dog bark
But something needs to be done now
Nobody is comfortable or getting sleep in our own home
And im just exhausted and over it

Might try this anti dog barking thing but I don't see why I should have to spend £30+ when surely my neighbour should be more considerate

OP posts:
Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:32

I could stick my phone out the window and record any time of the day/night and guaranteed I'll get sufficient proof

OP posts:
HighInfidelity · 30/03/2023 01:37

ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:32

I could stick my phone out the window and record any time of the day/night and guaranteed I'll get sufficient proof

Yeah, it’s just some councils expect it to be recorded the way they want it to be recorded through a specific app they’ve recommended or equipment they’ve installed. Annoying when you know how easy it is to do yourself but they have their own procedures to follow I suppose.

ASB Help are pretty good for advice with neighbour issues: https://asbhelp.co.uk/animal-nuisance-2/

EndOfEternity · 30/03/2023 01:41

We own big dogs with very loud barks, and I say YES report him!
He should not be leaving his dogs so agitated that they are barking constantly. He needs a trainer. Plus, just like picking up dog poo, not disturbing neighbours is part of the responsibility of owning dogs.
Hope you get some better sleep soon.

Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:48

@HighInfidelity thank you so much I'll have a look

@EndOfEternity I know we've tried to be tolerant but my husband had a husky years ago beautiful and big
And I had a Japanese Akita and he was massive when I was younger
So we know big dogs and we both love dogs
But we're getting fed up now
I'll look at all the options suggested as I don't really want to cause any aggro with my neighbour but if nothings works then I'll have to report him and hope someone does something soon preferably before it gets too warm and I need to open my windows at night!

OP posts:
marzipansux · 30/03/2023 01:54

Tell him to have them sleep indoors at night. Our 3 big dogs so - not a peep out of them.

Original poster
ariaknox · 30/03/2023 01:57

@marzipansux
He's not home every night
Last summer we got worried about the dogs because we hadn't seen him for days and they were going crazy in the back garden in the heat so we lifted the fence and put bowls off food and water out for them
When he got home a few days later he told us that he leaves the back door open when he's away and leaves food out for them
We had already called rspca at that point cause we were worried for the dogs but they didn't do anything

OP posts:
marzipansux · 30/03/2023 02:03

Oh, well if he's not home at night on a regular basis that is a problem. Yes, I'd probably report him if he can't sort something better out. Dogs barking at night is the worst! ( and as I say I have three). You wouldn't really know ours are here though as they are indoors 90% of the time.

AngelDelightUK · 30/03/2023 02:04

He leaves them alone in the house for days? That’s not in! Definitely report

LeevMarie · 30/03/2023 02:47

Oh dear, op, I really feel your pain here. We moved last year due to similar neighbours whose dogs would bark in the middle of the night. It was heartbreaking because DS, who was also 3 at the time, was so excited to move into his lovely new big bedroom. We ended up with a kid who quite happily went to sleep every night in his own room being afraid to fall asleep because he knew that he would be woken up multiple times.

Definitely report. These individuals have no right to impact so heavily on your quality of life and that of your children. Sleep is so important for kids and the council should take it seriously.

I know that this is wrong and you shouldn't have to do this, but can you move? People like your neighbour who have such little consideration are unlikely to change.

MysteryBelle · 30/03/2023 03:45

He is outrageous, he knows his incessantly barking dogs are disturbing you and your family. Of course report him. I love dogs but would never have one that barks at anything and everything. It would drive me insane. How anybody can stand that is beyond me. My springer barked once in the 13/14 years we had him. My dh was outdoors and outside my ds’s bedroom window doing something in the garden, our dog didn’t know it was him (he didn’t see or hear him go out) and thought someone was breaking in, until he realized who it was. He was the best dog, so lovely around children and our cat. He was nice to other dogs. He had the sense to know when there was a real possible threat and when there wasn’t. He was smart like that.

BitOutOfPractice · 30/03/2023 03:51

I would be reporting him every day. Every single day. Until the council do something.

I really do sympathise as I had similar though not to this extent and it drive me mad. And those poor dogs. It sounds dreadful.

MysteryBelle · 30/03/2023 03:52

I think he’s neglecting his dogs too, shame on him for disturbing your home life. I agree, report him every day.

nomoremerlot · 30/03/2023 03:56

Ponoka7 · 30/03/2023 01:21

Report and keep reporting, until environmental health take notice.

This, but I think it may take a time for them to react.

Sorry

Roselilly36 · 30/03/2023 04:20

Report, and keep doing so. Totally unsuitable for him to own dogs that are not being looked after properly. It’s impacting your family life. Record the noise, keep a diary. And speak to other neighbours and ask them to report the nuisance too. Poor dogs.

Somethingyesterday · 30/03/2023 04:38

Hmm … Large, poorly cared for, if not neglected, dogs that don’t sleep and are jumping up at your fence. That sounds dangerous.

And you have small children?

I would be considering moving. As soon as possible.

And please don’t ‘lift up the fence’ or do anything else to allow them access to you or your children. There are too many dog related tragedies these days.

123wentaway · 30/03/2023 04:40

Go back to your council. I had to download an App which recorded the noise. When I pressed send it automatically time stamped it and showed decibel levels. Neighbour was warned about consequences if they didn’t stop their dog barking.
You can also contact a local councillor direct. Just Google local councillor for ( your address) and ask them to act on your behalf.

madamovaries · 30/03/2023 05:47

Am a massive dog lover but this is completely unacceptable (I would also argue he’s mistreating the dogs by leaving them). Report him.

We have a lovely lurcher and our neighbours all say how quiet she is (they’re an excellent breed in this regard), but I get annoyed on rare occasions when our neighbours’ dog wakes us at 6. Can’t imagine how you’re coping; you’ve been exceptionally generous about it so far.

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