Neighbours dog barking, aggressive owner

[TipsyNavyBiscuit]

I don't know what to do about our next door neighbours dog barking. It is during the day when they are not there and are at work and it varies from a few minutes on and off to constant for an hour or more or even all day, its not at the weekend as they are home. I work from home and can hear it in every room of the house. I went over to speak to the neighbours to see if anything could be done and tried to give suggestions, but all I was met with was aggression, told i was bipolar, its not his fault i work from home and a threat to get a dog that barked more. Today there is a car there, so someone might be there and it has been left barking for two hours constant and then on and off. This isnt the first time I have mentioned it, I was going to complain to the council but thought I would do the neighbourly thing and have a conversation, it's clear that these neighbours don't care about anyone else and dont see it as an issue. I dont mind barking for abit and when the owner is there. Now I am very anxious, worried and scared that they might retaliate if I do anything. If I tell the council he will know its me. Not sure whether to leave it for now, speak to neighbours and then contact the council after everything has cooled down.

Honestly, I'd look to move house. Assuming you are an owner, if you start a formal dispute via council complaint, you'd need to notify any potential new buyers. So I'd consider moving before going down that route.

If you're council or private let, take it up with your landlord and deal with any fallout as & when it arises.

Been here for about 2 years, brought out first house, I believe it has gotten worse. I have spoken to a few other neighbours and they have mentioned the barking, but not said if they have put a complaint in. The guy said that it is only me that has complained, which I find hard to believe, unless they are scared of him.

I don't have the answer but you have my absolute empathy.

Years ago we had neighbours that left a poor dog (I feel for the poor animal to they are clearly not happy either and calling out) out for ages sometimes until 10pm at night. Our Daughter was young then and it was incessant and even affected her sleep.

I tried posting a friendly "from your neighbours note" to no avail, the thing is they didn't suffer because when they came home it stopped.

Fortunately it was a rental and they soon moved out which was such a relief, it really was ruining our lives.

I have to say had it continued I would have to have notified the council for help regardless of the potential consequences.

It staggers me how people can be so insensitive, I won't even cut my grass on a Sunday until 11am !!

That's what I was worried about, complaining to council could impact on selling the house. Don't really want to sell the house as only lived here 2 years and it's alot of money to move.

I really appreciate the empty and understanding. They are supposedly gun dogs and left outside all day, I do feel for dog being so distressed. Sadly they own the property and have been there for years. I think the barking has been getting worse over the years until now.

I know right! I try hard to be a good neighbour, I dont do anything early or late in the garden and wont listen to music loadly or in the garden, if I do I put headphones on.
This guy does other things like has bonfires and gets his chain saw out, its like he thinks he lives in the middle of no where.

He sounds unpleasant and arrogant, try to remember nothing lasts forever it will change.

If you do nothing it may affect your anxiety and well being, could asking for advice from the council be any worse, if you explain your fear of repercussions? Maybe they can say they have had "multiple" complaints?

I would definitely seek advice even if you then say you don't want them to act on your approach.

I've never knowingly upset anyone in my life, I just don't know how these people sleep, if someone said something to my family about noise I'd be horrified and jump on it straight away.

I could’ve give a fuck if the council knew it was me …the owners don’t give a shit it’s disturbing your peace…I’ve had the same trouble and I suffer anxiety…I tried to be nice and speak with the owner but it carried on I told the council and at last I have peace…do it or they will continue to let the dog bark it’s fucking annoying

What’s the point in moving or why should she …moving won’t solve it as you never know who will move into you next fuck that get the council involved I did and it done the trick no ignorant twat is going to disturb my peace

It is defiently affecting my anxiety, every time it barks it is the not knowing. Will this be for a min or all day and no one there to stop it.

I tried to call the council but there said they couldn't give advice on the phone, only if I made a complaint and to email instead.

I also reported to the police online, but again to make it a public order they needed the address and I am very scared of making it worse.

To the owner of the dogs, I said about contacting the council at the end and he said do what you want I don't care and f* you.

I have raised it with them on the door bell cam, they answered because they werent there and the dog was barking, I told them about their dog barking during the day. I have had other issues with them, having a bonfire and just letting it burn all day and night got the same attitude and they carried on doing it, so I have been scared to go round. The barking has also gotten worse.

I didnt want to make a fuss, it is mine and my partners first house, all other neighbours are lovely, just this couple.

Don’t be scared you cannot live like this ….he will care once he gets a letter

I guess I just keep hoping it will stop, another reason i havent done anything. I suggested to my partner speaking to the neighbours but he is also worried about causing more aggression.

I guess I don't have many options apart from council and other neighbours.

I work from home as my office is far, if I go to a closer one I will have to drop my pay.

Really appreciate everyone's feedback, made think about it clearer and helpful to have others point of view.

Please do not suffer this …you must stand up for yourself don’t be intimidated by anyone …trust me just get in touch with the council and if your worried and they ask was it you tell them no …personally I would just tell them to 🤬off

It's hard not to be intimidated. I wish I could find out if they have had other complaints, the council said they were not able to give this information out. I should have just done the complaint instead of trying to have a conversation.
Because of his attitude If I complained to the council, I think he would ignore the letter.
I am also concerned the council won't do anything, as its not at night or weekends (because they are there).

The council will act its a thing it doesn’t matter when it’s barking it’s disturbing the pease it’s a thing and it a common problem if you won’t do anything about it you are going to have to as they say put up and shut up …nobody can help if you don’t let them sorry to be harsh but it’s fact

Exactly this 💯...I gave up trying to help OP

Hey,
Sorry to hear about the barking dog issue. It must be tough, especially since you work from home and can hear it all day. It's a shame your attempts to talk to your neighbors didn't go well.
If the barking persists, maybe try contacting a vet clinic. They might have advice or even prescribe sedatives for the dog. As for your neighbors, maybe wait until things cool down before talking to them again. And if the problem continues, involving the council might be necessary. Take care!

I really do sympathise with you OP and can understand your reluctance to deal with an aggressive neighbour, but sometimes you just have to stand up for what's right, as it sounds like he gets away with murder because he makes people scared, which is bullying and he shouldn't get away with it.

If you're not planning to move then go ahead and make the complaint. Alternatively you could look into whether the RSPCA might help.

I work in this arena so maybe I can help.

You need to evidence excessive barking. Dogs bark, it's what they do. Excessive barking has to be continuous and persistent barking for long periods of time, and multiple times a day over a course of days.

Council will initially ask you to complete incident diaries, maybe ask you to use the Noise App to record the noise. They will likely write to the address to advise there has been a complaint in the first instance.

If a dog barks for a couple of minutes through the day, multiple times it won't be classed as noise nuisance. If its barking for long periods, ie 20 mins plus, multiple times through a day so effectively it adds up to hours of barking each day, then that would be statutory noise nuisance.

Yes, you risk retaliation. If that happens you report to the Police/Council as necessary.

Your choices are learn to live with it, or approach the Council..