How does one deal with this?
By patgalca
@patgalca (18181)
Orangeville, Ontario
January 24, 2009 1:49pm CST
This morning, Saturday, I was awakened at 7am by the sound of a dog barking. This barking continued on for an hour, maybe an hour and a half. When I looked out the window I was surprised to see which dog it was that was barking. We have a neighbour behind us who has three dogs that bark like crazy but eventually they bring them into the house (they let them out at 5am before they go to work 
). But it was not one of these dogs barking. It was a dog from a house two doors down from us and he/she appeared to be calling out to the other three dogs to come outside and join him. I know where the woman works and bet she probably was at work on a Saturday morning (but maybe not that early). Who else was at home?
Aside from the fact that my sleep was disturbed early Saturday morning for almost 2 hours, it is also -15 degrees celsius outside (add in a wind chill factor and it's even colder). No pet should be left out in that temperature for that period of time. I have been disturbed by barking dogs for several years now (and have started a discussion on it before). I considered leaving an anonymous note in the mailbox of the family with the three dogs. They only stop the dogs from barking when we are out in our backyard... they don't consider the fact that people who aren't outside might be sleeping (or trying to). I have considered calling the police because of the hours these incidences take place but don't want to bring attention to myself. But today's incident brought me to a third option and that is calling the OSPCA. When dogs are left in cars in the heat or cold their owners can be charged for neglect. Does leaving a dog outside in these cold temps for a lengthy period of time fall under the same category? I would think so.
I am not a pet owner. I wanted to get a dog but refuse to add to the chorus of barking in our neighbourhood. I do not blame the dogs, I blame the owners, for these dogs who bark uncontrollably.
Don't tell me to get a house out in the country to avoid this nuisance noise. These owners are being neglectful of their pets. But yeah, I hate having my sleep disturbed, especially for a lengthy period of time. Besides, I was here first. 
Your thoughts?
). But it was not one of these dogs barking. It was a dog from a house two doors down from us and he/she appeared to be calling out to the other three dogs to come outside and join him. I know where the woman works and bet she probably was at work on a Saturday morning (but maybe not that early). Who else was at home?
Aside from the fact that my sleep was disturbed early Saturday morning for almost 2 hours, it is also -15 degrees celsius outside (add in a wind chill factor and it's even colder). No pet should be left out in that temperature for that period of time. I have been disturbed by barking dogs for several years now (and have started a discussion on it before). I considered leaving an anonymous note in the mailbox of the family with the three dogs. They only stop the dogs from barking when we are out in our backyard... they don't consider the fact that people who aren't outside might be sleeping (or trying to). I have considered calling the police because of the hours these incidences take place but don't want to bring attention to myself. But today's incident brought me to a third option and that is calling the OSPCA. When dogs are left in cars in the heat or cold their owners can be charged for neglect. Does leaving a dog outside in these cold temps for a lengthy period of time fall under the same category? I would think so.
I am not a pet owner. I wanted to get a dog but refuse to add to the chorus of barking in our neighbourhood. I do not blame the dogs, I blame the owners, for these dogs who bark uncontrollably.
Don't tell me to get a house out in the country to avoid this nuisance noise. These owners are being neglectful of their pets. But yeah, I hate having my sleep disturbed, especially for a lengthy period of time. Besides, I was here first.
Your thoughts?5 people like this
12 responses
@3Dlace (339)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I think that calling the OSPCA is a good idea. As my grandmother used to say "A squeaky wheel often gets cleaned" which means a few phone calls to the OSPCA will get a response and a few more after that will have the dogs a new home away from yours. Besides, isn't one dog enough for a home? Just my opinion but those who own several dogs in a suburban neighborhood make me wonder about their kindness to animals. I too live in a neighborhood where houses are close enough to hear their dogs (even arguments *smiling*) and I probably won't buy a dog either due to the barking serenade that happens around here.
4 people like this
I appreciate your response and will wait to hear from others before I decide a course of action. This time I will act. Thank you.
@butterflydawn (297)
• Canada
24 Jan 09
As someone who has two dogs, I also find it frustrating when dogs are left out to bark for lengthy periods, or during those early morning hours. There is no reason at all for the dogs to be left out. We only put our dogs out to do their business, and they can wander around as long as they are being quiet. If they start barking they are brought in immediately. Unfortunately we have neighbours who also have two dogs and if we all happen to put our dogs out at the same time they bark. Once they do they are brought in. As a responsible dog owner I do not leave my dogs out to continue barking at any time of the day or night. I would also not leave them out in these kind of temperatures, and do not feel they should be left out.
If you are finding this neighbour is leaving their dog out regularly esp. in these temp. and it's out there barking, call the SPCA out of concern or lay a complaint with the police and tell them you do not want any of your information given out. I don't believe they are legally supposed to say who lays a complaint. The other option is to start off by calling that particular neighbour and asking if they are ok since, and tell them you were concerned since you've never noticed their dog being left out to bark for so long. You just never know...if someone doesn't normally leave a dog out and they suddenly do, it doesn't hurt to show some concern and check to make sure they are ok...and in a subtle way, mention that the dogs woke you up and you were afraid something was wrong since they failed to notice that their dogs were barking to go in.
3 people like this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Jan 09
I know exactly how you feel and what you are going through. We have the very same problem here in our subdivision. We were the first to move here and now we have alot of neighbors who let their dogs run loose. they bark all night long and the crap in my yard also. I am going to say something to them this spring and summer because I am tired of it. They did not buy a home here anyway. they are living in their homes for free because the woenr they worked for did not pay them last year.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
25 Jan 09
I remember the day, as a child, when dogs were allowed to roam free. We knew our neighbour's dogs but we also had to pick up after them. Today it is law here that dogs are not allowed to roam free and their owners must pick up after them. Now when I see a dog roaming the neighbourhood I hide. I don't know the dog and I don't know how he/she will react to me. I don't trust strange dogs no matter what the breed. We did have a dog roaming our street for a few days. I called someone (OSPCA or police, not sure which). They came looking for him and we never saw him again so I guess the owners were contacted and instructed to keep the dog enclosed, or he was taken to the pound.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
25 Jan 09
Hi patglaca! I do believe a dog that is left outside in such a cold temperature for a lengthy of time is considered a form of neglect although I am not really an expert on your laws. Sometimes, neighbors can be inconsiderate. We have two dogs and when they started barking, I do check up on them and see the cause of the barking so as to stop them from doing so. We do have a quiet neighborhood and it is just right that we do our share in keeping it that way. I do suggest that you push through with your plans of leaving an anonymous note in the mailbox of the owners of the dogs or better yet if you can talk to them personally about it. Good luck dear!
Take care and have a great day!
lovelots..faith210
Take care and have a great day!
lovelots..faith2102 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45584)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Jan 09
If the people let the dogs bark continuously and don't do anything about it, I doubt an anonymous letter would do much good.
1 person likes this
@Corimore (249)
• United States
25 Jan 09
if there isn't shelter for them and food and water then it is neglect.
There are collars that spray a lemon scented harmless mist that distracts the dog when they bark. Maybe with the note you could suggest something to that nature. Our dog would bark at leaves when we got the collar it seemed to help. It isn't harmful in any way the only downfall is some dogs actually bark to get the spray they seem to like the taste but it works for most.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
25 Jan 09
I understand the problem that you are currently faced with.
i am sorry that you have to be going through this.
You are right that it isn't the dogs to blame but the owners.
First of all, dog owners must provide a safe and warm shelter, with a door of some sort, even if a heavy blanket or sac to keep from the harsh winds, if the dogs are kept outside.
Secondly, where I reside we have what is called noise bylaws.
If there is a source of noice that is disturbing to others before and after a time frame set out by the city, there is a reson to lodge a complaint.
In my opinion,you have a few options.
talking to the dog owners could have negetive results so don't even bother to go there.
Check with the S.P.C.A. about the dogs, residing outside in extreme weather conditions.
Let them know that you are concerned and ask if they could please check on them.Likely you will have to provide your name and address but at our S.P.C.A. you can remain anonymous, if one would rather.
You could call or go to the bylaw office of your locality and ask for noise bylaw.
Talk with someone there about this situation in order to get some insight into what those options may be.
Lastly, you could pool together with other neighbors that are finding the barking dogs in the early morning hours also disturbing and get everyone to sign a petition. Submit to the local bylaw office noise control and or animal control.
We did this once for a guy feeding Seagulls which are protected by some wildlife bylaw. Seagulls are not to be fed by the public. The problem was, like you, 5:30 a.m. swarms of Seagulls and they can make a heck of a racket.
Plus they would decificate all over our cars and windows. Seagull feces and car paint does not go together very well. It will ruin the paint if not readily removed.
Who wants to wash their car everyday, right?
Good Luck to you!
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
3 Feb 09
You are very Welcome for the input and thank you for the BR.
Although the barking falls outside the bylaw time line, I would still mention it from a "What can I do"? point of view.
The O.S.P.C.A. may be your only option. It doesn't hurt, at least to see what they have to say.
It is a good idea not to approach the neighbors directly, as it runs the risk of having a negative and snowball effect.
It is odd that she will recognize you in her place of work but not on the street.
I figure it is just as well. When you get to become acquaintances with your neighbors, it makes it awkward to lodge complaints in cases like these. Talking to them direct is almost useless, so to save face but to also avoid a confrontation that could go bad.
I am sorry for you to have to deal with this.
What about other neighbors? There must be others that are annoyed as you. Is it possible to get to know any of them? Bake some cookies and go door knocking. Just a suggestion. Take care and I wish you the best, that you may get this matter resolved to the best interests of everybody. Especially the dogs.
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
26 Jan 09
I know there was talk of noise by-laws by town council a year or so ago but I don't know if anything was resolved. If it was I think the time is probably between 11pm and 7am which means this timeline falls outside of that zone.
I certainly don't want to approach the neighbours. I'm not very good at confrontation, even if I'm trying to be friendly and I don't know these neighbours very well. They don't acknowledge me when they see me on the street but she does when I am in the bank where she works. Well, she has to, doesn't she? I think I will call the OSPCA and see what they have to say. At this point it looks like a one-off with this particular dog. Thanks for your input.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
25 Jan 09
Hi Pat,
The cold like that can kill an animal, especially domestic animal. If that isn't animal cruelty then I don't know what is. We have neighbors that let their dogs bark from morning till night. I guess they leave them outside during the day while they work. Since I'm home all day, I get to endure their barking. Since it is usually warm here I suppose they can lay under a tree to keep cool. But in your situation I would encourage you to help those poor dogs before it is too late.
leenie
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
25 Jan 09
I haven't seen the 3 dogs out in awhile. It is this one dog that caused the endless commotion yesterday morning. It's the first time it has happened with this dog in these temps. I would like to report but I think the dog must have been overlooked and forgotten about and no one heard him/her barking. If it happens again, yeah, I will report it.
@adhim_at_02 (152)
• Indonesia
25 Jan 09
I will very angry to owner, because it bother our human rights
@DancingRedFeather1 (1037)
• Canada
25 Jan 09
ABSOLUTELY..it is against the law to leave any animal outside in the cold that is below a certain level.
I would definitely call immediately..because if the dog doesn't have a kennel in which it is built that it keeps him warm and protected it is cruelty to animals.
So don't hesitate and pick up the phone.
1 person likes this
@DancingRedFeather1 (1037)
• Canada
25 Jan 09
I forgot to add that there is a law that peace and quiet is disturbed beyond what the law specifies, the owners of the dogs will be fined and ordered to keep their dogs indoors.
The poor dogs are probably barking..SOMEBODY HELP ME!!
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
25 Jan 09
LOL! I know these dogs are usually barking at a squirrel or if they are at the fence, they are barking for the other dog(s) to come out. One dog races around and barks when the owner is mowing the lawn. I wouldn't be surprised if the dogs in the house of three were begging for help. They are 3 medium sized dogs in a bungalow with two small children. Can't imagine how crazy it could be in there sometimes.
@DancingRedFeather1 (1037)
• Canada
25 Jan 09
There is a barking law in some states, find out if there is one in yours.
I had 40 dogs and they were all trained not to back for nothing..not even at a squirrel. People were amazed at how my dogs were quiet.
I would let them run on my farm once a day where they could all howl and bark to their hearts content and then when they returned all had to be quiet.
I have a gift with animals and I can even read their minds. Now I am 65, have 6 cats and people are amazed how well behaved my cats are..none of them scratch any furniture..they scratch only where they are allowed.
1 person likes this
@rmorefield (941)
• United States
3 Feb 09
I would try and contact the dog's owner before I called Animal Control. It may not be the owner's fault at all. They may be out of town, and have entrusted the care to someone else. A similar thing happened to me. I breed Pit Bulls. My neighbors have never liked them, not that I care...I have lived here all of my life, and they haven't. Anyway, I went out of town and left the care of 9 puppies and two adults to a friend of my fiancee's. Luckily, he called me and said that he couldn't find the puppies. Aparantly, he had left their kennel open (they are only outside when it's warm...all other times they are in my house) and they had decided to roam the yard. (The adults were in the house) He fell asleep and didn't hear Animal Control knock on the door when the next door neighbor called them to complain that the puppies were in their yard. Instead of coming next door, they called A.C. Anyway, he didn't answer the door, so they took my puppies. No one called me to tell me what had happened. Thankfully, Joe called me because, if he hadn't, I would have never known what happened to my pups. (They would have been put down. Since he didn't know where they were, I called the police to report them missing/stolen. They had an officer call me back and tell me where to find them. So please, try to contact the owner first...hey may not know what's going on.
