“The neighbour’s dog will not stop barking” is the opening line of a Billy Collins poem aptly (and amusingly) titled: Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House.

It’s easy to see his point.

The excessive barking of dogs is not just annoying, if it continues over an extended period, it can lead to mental health issues and drive anyone over the edge.

We’ve put together some practical steps you can take to solve the issue and take control of the situation below.

Let’s get straight to the matter.

 

What do to if the neighbour’s dog won’t stop barking

    • Avoid making enemies
    • Show empathy
    • Offer help
    • Gather evidence
    • Rally affected neighbours
    • Know the law
    • Escalate the matter
    • Get legal advice.

 

1. Avoid making enemies with the owner of the barking dog

You want the dog's owner to assist you and resolve the situation. Be nice, be respectful, and don't criticise them.

2. Try to understand the situation and offer sympathy

Dale Carnegie, in "How to Win Friends and Influence People", says that about 75% of the people we meet are hungry for sympathy, and if you give it to them, they will love you. Try to find out what challenges the person is facing, which may cause the problem and sympathise if possible. It may be a person who works night shifts and has no other option but to let the dog stay home alone at night.

3. Offer advice, help, or assistance to resolve the issue

A good starting point is to state that you understand the dog may be barking because it may be scared or frustrated. Ask your veterinarian for the names of one or two animal behaviourists in the area and give that to the dog’s owner. Or, if you have time and it is a friendly, controllable dog, you may offer to petsit the dog a few mornings or take it for a walk. You can also find out about people in the area that provide those services and give the details to the owner. If you are helpful, they are far more likely to accommodate you.

4. Gather good evidence

Suppose the dog’s owner does not believe there is a problem. In that case, it will assist to have sound and video recordings of the barking behaviour. Keep records of when it happens and how long it continues. This will not only help you to prove your case, but it may help to identify the reason for the barking. If the issue cannot be resolved with the owner, this will be valuable information if you pursue legal action.

5. Find out if other neighbours are also affected

If more than one person confirms that there is a real problem, it will make it easier to convince the dog's owner and, if necessary, the authorities that there is a real problem.

Evidence gathered by other people will also assist.

6. Know the law

Local municipalities and provinces have by-laws that deal with noise control. Obtain a copy of the by-laws relevant to your local municipality and province. By-laws explicitly dealing with the keeping of animals may also assist. For example, the City of Cape Town has Animal By-Laws in which specific restrictions are listed for keeping dogs. One of these restrictions is: "No person shall keep any dog which barks, yelps, howls or whines for more than six accumulated minutes in an hour or more than three accumulated minutes in a half-hour".

Since this is quantifiable, it will help to eliminate arguments about whether the noise is reasonable.

7. Report the matter to the law enforcement section of the local municipality

If all your attempts to get the dog's owner to cooperate have failed, the next step would be to report it to the local law enforcement authority. The SAPS do not deal with the enforcement of by-laws, and the local law enforcement services are specifically tasked with this.

8. Obtain assistance from an attorney

If all else fails, get assistance from an attorney. Ultimately everyone is entitled to peace and a healthy environment. A letter from the attorney may be all that is necessary for the noisy dog's owner to resolve the issue. However, if all else fails, you, with the assistance of your attorney, can approach the court for an interdict. This will be a costly route to follow and will most likely damage the relationship between you and the owner of the dog irreparably, but in some cases, it may be the only permanent solution.

 

These steps refer to cases where no serious animal abuse is involved. If you know that animal cruelty is the underlying reason for the barking or noise, report it to the SPCA immediately.

 Dr Trudie Prinsloo is a qualified veterinarian and attorney. In 2015, she started Legalvet Services to provide legal advice to the animal health and veterinary industries in South Africa – and now she’s teamed up with us to tell us what we can do concerning barking dogs.  While Dr Prinsloo is a qualified attorney, she cannot give legal advice remotely. This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should in no way be regarded as a substitute for professional legal advice.

  

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