AIBU to complain again about neighbours' dogs barking every day?

[Grumpynannie]

Dogs Barking !!!

My next door neighbours dogs are barking and it's driving me mad.

They leave 3 dogs from 9-12 12.30-4 then 6-7 weekdays, Weekends are adhoc but they are out more than in, during which these dogs just bark.

When I say bark, I mean for the majority of the time away from home they bark, howl and scratch against the patio doors.

This has been going on for over 2 years, We tried the council involvement 2 times, both of which they recieves the letter, ups their game for a month or so, council shut the claim down, and gradually we are back to square one.

I've spoken to thier landlord 3 times now and nothing has changed.

During this hot weather i've wanted to sit outside and my head is broken.. Friday night for over 4 hours they barked.

They refuses to answer any text messages, WhatsApp or FB messages. We had an agreement that if they had been barking for over 1 hour that I could message them, but they have not stuck to this.

My life revolves around thier schedule, I can only enjoy my garden when someone is at home (although I can't even enjoy that because they are shouters)

I live in a rural location, surrounded by countryside and its just our 2 houses, so I have nobody else to support my complaints.

The only thing I can do to not hear anything is to sit at the front of the house, but i've never in 15 years used that room for anything other than family visits.

I record most episodes but I actually cant take this anymore, my MH is ruined, I feel all I do is moan, It's causing arguements between me and husband. I love my house, but I'm getting close to wanting to move, although I wouldnt be able to afford anything near what I have now.

So you have a room that you can't hear the dogs in but you don't want to use it?! That's mad. Use the room.

Your neighbours are unreasonable but it doesn't sound like they are going to change anything so why leave the best room in the house unused?!

I feel your pain OP.Our next door but one has a large dog that they leave in the garden for long periods of time. I went into my garden at 6 am this morning , and the minute I opened the French doors it started. It's relentless.

Sorry you're going through this. Go back to the council. Explain what you've explained here, that any improvement never lasts. Keep a detailed log, keep on with the council for as long as the selfish bastards keep on. You're going to have to play the long game but fight for your right to enjoy your property. Sounds like the council will act but be prepared to go your MP to push the council if necessary.

Unreasonable to complain? No. Unrealistic? Probably yes. But you say you have a room where you can’t hear the dogs, and for some reason don’t use it? Sounds like you are not helping yourself here op. Use the room!

I don’t get the AIBU, you’ve already complained repeatedly? Adapt and use the room that you can’t hear the dogs in. You can complain but it’s clearly not going to change anything

The whole layout of our house is the kitchen / dining / sofa area is right across the back of the house that goes onto the garden. That is how we did the house 15 years ago and it,s the biggest area.

Unfortunately the have thier kitchen in the same position and leave the dogs in the kitchen.

I just feel that they are so selfish and because I'm retired they just dont really care.

Could ask that they leave the dogs in their front room so you can hopefully hear them less in your kitchen?

Id ring the council and explain the situation with it being ok for a bit after a complaint etc.

What are they doing/changing when it improves? Why can’t they just keep that up.

Keep complaining to the council. When they improve and the council close the case, complain again the second it starts up again.

Keep complaining to the council, after the first initial letter, you will be asked to keep a log for a period of time of the noise, they then should act.

We didn’t get further than the letter, with our neighbours as they drastically kept it quieter after the letter, even though they told the lady from the council that it wasn’t their dog barking.

But definitely keep complaining, you are entitled to enjoy your garden without this noise pollution.

Have other neighbours complained as you could all contact the council at the same time to give it more weight?

There are no other neighbours - it’s in the post.

Keep going to the council. Surely the council will realise there’s an ongoing issue here.

I saw this the other day & it explains you can take action yourself if the council route is not effective. It might be worth looking into.

Good luck

www.environmental-protection.org.uk/policy-areas/noise/neighbourhood-noise/nuisance/

It sounds like they're not going to do anything about it so your options are

A) get a hobby you can do in that front room

B) get some noise cancelling headphones