Inconvenienced Resident Wants To Call The Cops On A Neighbor Whose Dog Barks Excessively, Turns To Online Community For Advice

It’s completely normal for dogs to bark, just as it’s natural for us humans to talk. However, some dogs tend to bark significantly more than others.

If excessive barking is an issue, the owner needs to determine the triggers that cause the dog to bark excessively. Once identified, the owner can begin addressing the problem.

Dogs bark for various reasons, using it as a form of communication. One common trigger is territorial or protective barking when they perceive a threat to their space, which escalates as the threat approaches. Alarm or fear barking occurs in response to sudden noises or stimuli, with signs of fear evident in their body language.

Boredom or loneliness can also lead to excessive barking, as dogs seek companionship or stimulation when left alone for extended periods. Greeting or play barking is a joyful expression typically accompanied by tail wagging and excitement.

Additionally, dogs may bark to seek attention for needs like going outside, playing, or receiving treats, using their vocalizations to communicate their desires effectively. Understanding these reasons helps address and manage excessive barking behaviors in dogs.

Over at Quora, one user feels inconvenienced by the noise caused by the neighbor's excessively barking dog. They asked this question:

Would I be wrong to call the cops on my neighbors for their dogs that constantly bark? They've lived here for about a year, and the barking never stops.

We echo the sentiment: If you're not going to take action regarding your dog's behavior, it's best not to own one.

While barking dogs can ruin neighbors’ lives and drive a person crazy, I don't think it’s a police matter. In the UK, it would be a matter for the local council - a noise nuisance.

Gather evidence such as audio recordings of the barking, dates and times, how long the dogs barked, etc., and send it to the local authority. If you have enough evidence, your neighbors can be formally warned to control their dogs or face fines.

You’re not alone, either. My neighbor has two large dogs, and they almost always start barking if they even hear me in my own kitchen, which is quite intimidating.

If I go outside, they bark at me. I cannot go into my back garden without them going off.

They also bark on and off all day, every day. They are a huge nuisance, and the neighbor doesn't seem to care.

A lot of these dog owners are very self-entitled.

I once shouted at the dogs to shut the f*ck up, and the woman screamed at me over the fence, “THEY’RE JUST DOGS.” Yeah, thanks, I didn’t know that.

TAKE THEM FOR A WALK NOW AND THEN, AND MAYBE THEY WON’T BARK ALL THE TIME.

Owners need to control their dogs better. No dog should be barking incessantly.

That is a bad owner. You have no right to own an animal if it’s going to cause a nuisance to your neighbors because you can’t control it.

The OP needs to check local laws to determine which authorities can handle the situation.

It depends on whether there is an ordinance in place regarding this where you live. If there is, yes, you can. If not, it is then a civil matter that you have to take to court.

The OP should try talking to their neighbors first before involving the authorities.

Have you tried talking to them about it? Also, it's a local council issue, but in my area, they never do anything, so try to work it out with them.

One dog owner tells the OP to simply get over it because it's what dogs do.

Welcome to Arkansas! I love this state because everyone minds their own business.

So my dog's barking? Get over it.

I have one dog that barks at neighbors and other strange dogs, and she comes in at night to go to sleep. I also have another one that is my livestock guardian dog, and she stays out all night.

My LGD barks and howls through the night anytime she hears a coyote or anything else that might come from the woods while I sleep and prey on my livestock.

I can tell you that not once have any of my neighbors mentioned my dogs barking during the day or night, and I am positive that not one of them will, ever. I live in the country, and dogs are common practice and one of the best tools around the farm.

Even if I lived in the city, unless the dogs are left unattended outside at night while people are trying to sleep, then you should probably mind your own business and get over yourself.

The OP can consult local authorities about what can be legally done to make the owner do something.

It depends on where you live (out in the country? In a housing tract? In an apartment?) and on what the local noise laws are.

Call your mayor’s office and ask whether anything can be done legally. There may be other courses of action that would be more direct and more effective.

Others suggested raising the issue with animal control.

Yes, you should report them to animal control. The police do not handle complaints about pets and livestock.

The OP can try to see if their other neighbors are also being inconvenienced by the noise. They should use strength in numbers when solving this issue.

You could talk to your problem neighbors, but they are already aware and don't care. The best thing is to talk to the other affected neighbors and ask why they haven't called the police, tell them you are going to, and ask them to do the same.

Multiple squeaky wheels get greased better than one squeaky wheel. Seven complaints are viewed as an issue that needs addressing, while just one complaint can be seen as a possible grumpy neighbor.

Unfortunately, not all places have laws that make the owners of excessively barking dogs accountable.

In my tiny city, there’s an ordinance specifically regarding dogs barking. It could also be a noise violation. In rural areas, I don’t know.

The OP has not confirmed if they've tried talking to the neighbors, so they should try that first. If that doesn't work, the OP should look for other neighbors who feel that this is an issue.

Then they can all look for the laws and ordinances in their area. Once they find the relevant authorities, it's time to complain about the dogs and the owner not taking action.