
I am awake again before 7:00a.m. because the dogs next door are barking. These are not little dogs. They are Great Danes. What should I do? We have already called animal control twice in the last 6 months. It only helps for a couple days. They bark at late night, early morning and all afternoon. If I use the micro, they bark, heck if I sneeze or fant they bark. They are less than 10 feet from my patio door. We have had to deal with their dogs for over 20 years. The last couple years this has become a danger to my health. I am at my wits end and considering how to eliminate it.
What should I do?
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 309
Smokey, one's health is important. If you are "unable" to sleep because of this disturbance there is good cause to be unhappy about it. Either way, animals owner have a responsibility to keep their animals somewhat quiet - especially late at nite or early morn.
1. Talk to the neighbors about how it is effecting your health (document it that you did so) If they continue to take no action, express how sorry you are but you may need to take legal actions as it is effecting your health and well-being.
2. See your Physician about the effects this is having on your health (get it documented)
3. Continue to call the Animal Control Daily (get it documented)
4. After you have documented all of this, and if nothing is being done, it may be time to get an attorney involved.
Sad to go this route, but if a person truly cares about other people and they realize it is effecting the health of another they SHOULD take actions to alleviate it.
Good Luck Smokey. On a side-note - it was great seeing you and the other Red Hatters at the Fairgrounds the other day. You always look fabulous!
Joined: Oct 2008
Current Posts: 76
Once I nearly went insane due to a poor little beagle who was basically abandoned in his people's back yard. I tried the usual courtesy-spoke to the neighbor (they lived behind us) to let her know that the dog would bay and bark constantly. At first it was all nice and full of apologies, but it disintigrated because I am an animal lover and felt the pet was being abused. So, I did the following, First, call the Police Department if Animal Control is not open. In the case of renters, go on the internet get the number of the Assessor's Office and you can get the name and address of the owner. If you are dealing with renters, write a letter to the owner letting them know of the problem. Remind them that they can be held financially responsible for the disturbance caused by their tenant. Document each time you call Animal Control (and for how long the barking went on and whether the owner of the dog were home or not) and if you can make a friend at AC, that certainly helps. In our case the pet was not licensed and had no record of shots. Large fines come with these violations. AC is always willing to go and contact people with unlicensed and pets that have not had shots. Or pets that constantly escape and end up in neighbor's yards and cause destruction. We ended up moving before we ever learned what happened to the poor little dog. Now, just to infuriate as many people as possible, I nearly died when the owner told me that she was only able to afford the $700 dog because her Section 8 voucher saved her so much on rent. Normally, I wouldn't care and I had no idea, but I did know that at least half the time when I called her on the number she gave me, she would tell me that they were "out to dinner," or "at the mall," and I think her kids were often home with the dog. As someone who worked hard to achieve what we had, I was a little taken aback by her candid comments. I really hope that you can resolve the situation amicably since you all have to live together. I cannot imagine what kind of noise Danes can make, but it must be just annoying beyond description. pholub gave uo some really good things I never even though of..Good Job! Also, great thoughts from "jhd1200" as well. If they are renters, you do have more resources. And to reiterate, you can call AC weekly, or when you cannot stand it,call every day for a week. They will find someone to go to the house. I guarantee it.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 5
Then again you could have tenants like I do. Told no dogs for insurance would not cover any dog mishaps with people. They brought 2 into house. Then they haven't paid rent since Jan. and I have to put out yet more monies to get them out. After inspection last week to see they demolished it inside and out they are now blaming us for their dogs getting parvo and want us to pay for their loss. Good luck with your renter neighbors.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
I can definitely sympathize. We've had to deal with inconsiderate neighbors and their barking dogs for years, even before we moved to Antioch. I don't get it. Some of these dog owners either really don't give a #@&% about anyone else or they just tune it out and are oblivious to how much they are annoying their neighbors. Certain responsibilities go along with owning any pet, and training a dog not to constanly bark is one of them.
I've heard that Animal Control isn't as fully staffed as they used to be. A few years ago they were pretty responsive to what we were dealing with at the time, and eventually removed the two pit bulls that were barking at all hours and breaking through and jumping over our backyard fence into our backyard. We've got new renters next door now and they went and bought a puppy that they haven't bothered to train at all and the yipping is driving me crazy. I asked politely if they would do something about it and only got "attitude" from the woman. My next step will be contacting the landlord when I find out who it is but it would be nice if Animal Control was better able to respond to complaints and the city had a better track record of enforcing its noise ordinance, for dog and car stereos.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 2215
I am sure you tried this but before you take formal action I would try one more time. I am sorry to say this is a common problem and another sign of the times we live in. There are some nasty things you could do (legally) such as by a device only dogs can hear to try to retrain the dog without harming it.
Whatever you do, do not break the law out of frustration.
Good luck and peacful nights to you.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
From my experience, those devices are a waste of money.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 2215
Not being able to sleep because a neighbor has a barking dog is not acceptable.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 2284
I called animal control once again. Third time this year. There is no talking to this neighbor. They think their sheet don't stink. I should not have to spend money for no-bark devises. Our dog does not bark all the time, if at all. Yes he barks to greet the mail man, and my gr-children. I tell him to stop and he does. No formal training just persistance and concern for neighbors. We will see how this goes again. As I am typing the dogs are still barking. (all day)
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 860
smokey make meatballs laced with nyquill<---uh-oh and give them treats b-4 u go to bed no just kidding,i have the same problem with my neighbors dog but i also have a problem with my neighbors other animals i rent a house with 2 houses on one property and there is one acre behind us on the lot with one fence line running behind our houses he has behind his fence and all along mine directly behind it many chicken coups and also has goats and pigs and i have a train that competes with this every day and night,there isnt alot u can do,with the dog noise u can only call police for disturbing the peace after hrs and call animal control and have it documented and like the other poster said go to ur doctor and get it documented then take the land lord to court. are they renters? keep us posted because with input from posters we can get this problem resolved. lets just hope they rent because if so they are going to have less power than they think they have.
Joined: Oct 2009
Current Posts: 9
Document everything, and keep calling animal control I believe they will fine them on the second or third time. And take them to small claims court sue for $7500 for nuisance. If they are renting sue the land lord too.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 2284
I called animal control and the neighbors must have read their mail. The dogs have not barked since 6 last night. It seems earily quiet around here.
I even slept 9 hours straight through. "I Feel Good" how does that song go? Thanks everyone, pholub,nobody,wenbru,tom and stony. jhd, I will remember some of your advice as a last resort.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 309
Smokey, I am sooooooooooo happy to hear you got some sleep, and that the dogs have not barked since 6 last night. That is how it should be. My neighbors have dogs and they are big dogs, and I RARELY if ever hear them bark. Folks need to realize that owning an animal comes with "responsibility". Think things all the way through before getting any pet.
I'm hoping more Happy Zzzzzzzzzzz's in your future Smokey.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
Wouldn't it be nice if the city and the police department had the resources to put the enforcement of noise ordinances higher on their priority list? Not only barking dogs, but the constant THUMP, THUMP, of the car stereos. It would also be nice if people were just plain more considerate of those around them. The other day a woman across the street was screaming at her kids for 15 minutes straight at the top of her lungs, using the foulest language I've heard in a long time. These are little kids. And the people on cell phones in public that have to use the F words in every sentence. Just think of how the stress level could be brought down if things were a bit more peaceful around here.
Sorry to vent. I know I'm dreaming. I'm happy for you Smokey. I hope it lasts.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 2284
The lady screaming and using foul language is mental abuse. A call to PD and they will talk to her about it. We had a neighbor like that and a couple calls from myself and other neighbors put a stop to it.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
How do you know that lady across the street screaming at her kids wasn't doing so because she discovered they were were planning to go on a rampage through the neighborhood, egging houses, and spray painting cars?
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
Different woman. Different kids. These were maybe 5 or 6 years old. It's the same section 8 house you're thinking about but all the kids of the matriarch you're also thinking about have moved out to get away from her, so I'm assuming she's let this other family without a father, move in to help pay her share of the rent, which in her case, was zero. She hasn't paid in a long time but the landlord doesn't care. He's getting his guaranteed share from the government and that's good enough for him. Meanwhile. the rest of us have to deal with his tenants.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
Man Stoney, with that lady across the street and the barking dogs next door, having that skunk spray under your house that time must have been a welcomed change of bad things to deal with?
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Current Posts: 3363
I love skunks.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
I can appreciate that. I would too if I was in your shoes.
Joined: Sep 2006
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I love reading how other people have it worse than me. Makes my problems seem so small. Sorry for getting you riled up again stoney.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
Better than being complacent.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
Now that we got Smokey feeling better, do you want to start your own "I can't take it anymore" thread, Stoney? Maybe somebody will get on there and complain about a meteor hitting their house and you will feel better too?
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
I'm not sure I really like the title I Can't Take It Anymore. We all know how it ended for Howard Beale.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 2284
Anyone have a good alarm clock? I seem to be oversleeping lately.
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 410
Yea, my next door neighbor's dogs starting barking at 5:30am each day, great alarm clock!!! Want me to send them over, lol
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
Smokey, this song might help you fall asleep. "Great Danes," as sung to that famous Foreigner song, "Head Games":
Great Danes, it's you and me baby
Great Danes, and I can't take it anymore
Great Danes, I don't wanna play, these...
Head games
Daylight turns into night
Need some Tylenol PM, but it's nowhere in sight
It's always the same and you know who's to blame
You know what I'm sayin', still you keep on bayin'
Great Danes, that's all I hear at night
Great Danes, and I can't take it anymore
Great Danes, don't wanna play, these...
Head games...
(Repeat chorus and fade until slumber ensues)
Joined: May 2007
Current Posts: 374
you guys are so refreshing sometimes. It really makes my day somtimes when I read your posts. Thanks for keeping it nice and funny. Better than others who only have negative things on their minds. Thanks again and have a great turkey day!!!
Joined: Mar 2007
Current Posts: 53
It is Thanksgiving Day you know, a day to give thanks...Do you leave Christ out of Christmas as well. (Xmas)
Joined: Sep 2009
Current Posts: 60
To paraphrase that old philosophical riddle, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound ?"
"If no one replies to JoeCitizen, does JoeCitizen exist?"
I'm a mog: half man, half dog. I'm my own best friend.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 2284
Joecitizen is now on my ignore list.
Joined: May 2007
Current Posts: 374
Barf I never thought of it that way. Yeah I think this fall under the same guidlines. I now understand. Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 64
The dogs dont know no better. Its the same bad behavior from their owners that makes them misbehive. The city should find the owners.
"And always let your conscience be your guide!"
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 3346
"Its the same bad behavior from their owners that makes them misbehive."
I sure don't miss beehives JC. They scare the heck out of me.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 860
001 do i know u personaly?
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
That's mean 001, those bees swarmed in a heart shape, and then you go and insult them like that.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 3346
BJ, just because they scare the heck out of me doesn't mean I'm insulting them. I actually find them quite fascinating, but they do scare the heck out of me, especially if I saw that heart shaped swarm up close and personal. They can be quite scary you know. This is one brave dude.
Joined: Jul 2006
Current Posts: 3363
Stupid comes to mind too.
Joined: Jan 2008
Current Posts: 1453
Stupid is as Stupid Does.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 3346
Stupid fits. As does idiotic, insane, unbalanced, half-baked, irrational or moronic. I hope he got paid a whole lot of money for doing that, and wasn't just trying to "impress" people.
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 5221
Oh... Beehive! YEAH BABY!!!! Grrr, grrr...
Joined: Sep 2006
Current Posts: 3346
Not to my knowledge JHD, since I don't really know who you are. I think I remember you saying a while back that you are in pest control and had done some work for Roy at the Gursky Ranch, so maybe my using a beehive made you think I was in the business. But I am not. I have met a few of the posters in person, including Roy (RIP), BJ and Berlin, but I feel like I know a whole lot more of you guys from these forums. I just have a warped sense of humor and felt the need to respond to Jim Cricket's typo of misbehave with that photo.
Joined: Aug 2009
Current Posts: 157
smokey, you need to be an annoying neighbor like me at night. sit on your back padio with friends drinking and carrying on loudly so your neighbor with their window OPEN asks you to please quiet down at 9pm or they are going to call the police, hehe. I told her call the police, i'll call in your dogs that are barking all day. With that said, i told her i was sorry, my mom and aunt are in town and we'll go in the house. I havent heard from her since although i try to keep it down at night. I'm sure i've been loud a few times thanks to the beer consumption, but she seems more tolerant.