Home

Your barking dog

Sun, 01/25/2009 - 18:39
Annoyance, Individuals

I realize she is a dog, dear neighbor. I realize dogs bark. But yours barks from sunup to sundown almost everyday of the week. "I work," you say. Fabulous, I work too. "She''s a dog," you reply. I''m aware. But you''re a dog owner and that title means you have a certain responsibility to your dog. When we tried to gently confront you (actually, it was your neighbor who was watching her during your many excursions elsewhere) the instructions given were to "stomp on the floor and yell ''Shut-up, Dog''." That stopped her barking briefly. But then she began to howl. And I think you went away for the week since you didn''t answer your door. That''s when I called animal control. They issued you a warning. You responded to the citation by telling them you no longer owned the dog. I only found out that information after I called animal control the second time to complain about the barking. Now there is the possibility to bring this matter to court. I really don''t want to do that but I need a restful night''s sleep. If I don''t sleep, I get cranky. The only thing that helps me vent my frustration is jump roping while listening to Tracy Lords'' techno album very loudly. IOh yeah- Tracy Lords put out a techno album. It''s pretty much a thumping crap-fest but it sure gets the energy going. Funny- isn''t our workout room right above your bedroom? Even funnier are our thin walls. I never realized how thin they were until I discovered that barking was coming from your apartment. Since I have to be at work an hour away, I have to wake up around 7am or so. That means I''ll have to start my workout around 5am. Tell you what- I''ll be happy to reschedule my workouts. I''ll even rip up the paperwork furthering the barking complaint- those citations can have a hefty fine and no one likes to go to court. All you have to do is be a more responsible dog owner. Pawtropolis has reasonable pet-sitting fees. Not to mention highly recommended obedience schools. I''m sure they can help you curb her barking habit. As for your visit to my door following this evening''s workout- I did try to resolve this issue with you face to face-but I have a hunch her barking problem stems from your never being around. And I have several dated video recordings from various days this week of your poor dog barking and howling. As for any thought of retaliation- I have insurance and no problem contacting the proper authorities (but I reckon you''ve realized that by now).

01/28/2009 - 19:52

You confronted your neighbor about it. They took no means to alleviate the situation. Taking them to court isn''t going to do anything, but make things worse. Sucks to be you.

01/27/2009 - 14:57

I agree above commenter. I have a neighbor who had dog that she neglected. The dog was ALWAYS barking and alone. I can''t just move into a community with no pets...I have some of my own. That''s like saying someone with a loud neighbor should just move into a nursing home or retirement community. No.

01/27/2009 - 14:27

Why should someone have to move because of someone else''s irresponsibility? Are you going to take over their lease for them? And another thing- when you move into a new place do you always go door to door making sure people are responsible for their actions? Do you take time out of your day/moving schedule/personal obligations to ask each and every person within a one mile radius a series of questions to determine their propensity for douchebaggery? No- like everyone else you give people the benefit of the doubt. That''s why most leases contain a clause regarding disruptive and annoying behavior. That''s why there is protocol for what sounds like an animal abuse/neglect case. No one should be forced to move because Junior is a self-centered neglectful putz. Check your lease- it''s in there or it should be. You don''t have to roll over on this one.

01/27/2009 - 00:07

You should move to a development that doesn''t allow pets. Your plan of action will probably be fruitless.

01/26/2009 - 11:09

Sad. Poor doggy.

I agree with your actions. Suggest a bark collar with citronella. I''ve heard they can work well. Do you have a land lord/leasing office? Perhaps you can check if she''s paid her pet fees, etc. Granted, she sounds like the kind of person that would just dump it off at the pound somewhere if forced to remove the pet. It''s a crap situation.

01/26/2009 - 08:10

I agree with 2nd responder. I don''t think you should get into a neighbor war, but that doesn''t mean that neighbor should have a dog when they are clearly negligent. It''s cruel to the dog to be locked up all day without any interaction literally crying out for attention.

People are ridiculously self-centered. Torturing the dog with solitude and you with it''s barking so they can enjoy a few minutes with it once a night before promptly ignoring it again...

01/26/2009 - 05:00

I disagree. You''ve tried the civil approach now it is time to do what you have to do.

01/25/2009 - 21:54

Its a dog...live with it, or move to a pet-free community. Your actions will result in anything but a happy ending.

I''ve been there, and I can attest it is in your best interest to let it go. Neighbor wars get ugly, and dragging a neighbor to court to fix a problem heshe can''t afford is a great way to start a war. You will lose. Remember, your neighbor has a little poop mill for ammo.

Please use paragraphs next time, and good luck with a solution : )

Related Content