Howling dogs

[Catso]

Well, we didn't get much sleep last night.

Next door has 4 dogs, which include one bitch and one dog, both intact. So, every month, he has to separate them. He's put the bitch in a cage in the back of his van (been there since Friday, in all this heat, poor thing) on the drive and keeps the rest in the back garden. Last night was howling-hell; all night they were at it, one to the other. Do we close all the windows and suffocate or listen to 'hounds of the baskervilles' all night?

So, anyone any similar experience or suggestions as to what we can do?

We've tried complaining to him before and just get 'I didn't hear anything' or 'nothing to do with you'. Also, he has guns and I've long thought he's a bit barmy, so we don't want to upset him too much! He can be very nasty if you upset him.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi Catso,

Yes unfortunatley been there, it's horrible isn't it? Our neighbours would keep apoligising but it kept on happening. We road it out and now they just have the 2 which seem to be no trouble whatsoever. Not much of an answer for you sorry.
How about getting in touch with Environmental health about the noise, explain he has guns too. Also I know people slate the RSPCA but there isn't any other voice for animals is there? Maybe give them a ring, say about the bitch being in the car since friday in this weather, maybe they will come out and break the window as I'm sure I heard they did that in car parks etc.. if there were dogs trapped in cars in this heat. Just an idea.
Sorry I can't be of much help, hang on in there :o)

[Catso]

He does have the van's back doors open, so no danger of the dog suffocating, but even so, I wouldn't have liked to be in there all this weekend.

Apologising! That'd be nice - he just denies everything.

[shaneystar2]

If this is a perssitent nuisance get in touch with your local council and ask to speak to the Dog Warden. Explain the situation and he will no doubt have a word with the owner.It's not the dogs fault ....it's the thoughtless owner.
The Dog Warden is always the first port of call in these sort of situations .I have only had to deal with them once and they were brilliant.

[YvonneM]

How do you know he has guns. Are you in the US where gun laws are more relaxed than in the UK.

[doglady]

The sad thing is that even the RSPCA probably can't do anything. As long as the dogs are basically looked after (and I mean basically - they have food of some sort, water, somewhere to shelter and aren't being abused), their hands are tied.

[lankeela]

Why does he have to do this every month - bitches only come in season twice a year. The Environmental Health Department should write to him and explain that there has been a complaint, and if this does not stop then they will bring an enforcement order and he could be made to get rid of some dogs.

Keeping a bitch in the van won't stop the dogs howling - they can smell them from much further than the driveway.
I do feel sorry for the bloke though, I have kept dogs and bitches together, and you really cannot get through to the dogs when they get the smell of a bitch, and it drives you mad.

However, in this hot weather a van is no place to keep a bitch anyway. Contact the police if necessary and they will bring in the RSPCA (who may or may not be interested!).

[Catso]

lankeela: I only guessed dogs come into season once a month, I'm not a dog expert. It has happened numerous times before now but it's only so noticeable now we have the windows open at night and he has to keep the van doors open at night.

doglady: By and large 'looked after', yes, but woe betide them if they cause him trouble - I have, once, seen him kicking them when they've upset him and we often hear a thump and a yelp at night when he's going in or out with them.

YvonneM: I've seen them. He (definitely) has 2 rifles and (I think) a shotgun. He takes them out with him at night a lot. Make of that what you will!

I'm going to speak the Env Health people, they're the people do Dog Wardening in my district, also. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[doglady]

Some people shouldn't have dogs.

[WendyS]

If your neighbour is leaivng his female dog in a cage in the back of his van in this heat I would call either the police or the RSPCA> That is no way to treat any animal. Even with the door open it is still the equivalent of keeping it in a metal oven and if he thinks this is acceptable behaviour he should be banned from keeping dogs.
I would also contact your Environmental Health department about the noise. If you contact the police, mention about the guns. He may not have a licence for them.

[Catso]

wendys: Everyone on our little street thinks he's not fit to have dogs, but what can you do? I'm sure he's licensed for the guns.

Not much joy from the EH people yet. They insist on knowing my name and address before acting. Why do they insist? The last time we complained about the nuisance, many years ago, they wrote to him with the complaint and told him who'd complained! This caused months of aggravation.

[lankeela]

They should not give your name - but if you are the only one complaining, then he'd probably work it out anyway. Can you ask other neighbours to sign a letter to the EH dept?

You could try asking the Dog Warden to have a word - they are used to dealing with things like this and can be very discreet.

[Catso]

I've asked around and several other people are sick of it as well, but as he's so wierd, no one dare complain. A joint letter is a good idea, I'll ask about.

We don't have a Dog Warden, the EH people do it, that's why I ahd to contact them.

[shaneystar2]

Catso...the dog warden should be nothing to do with EH .
Most local councils have a Dog Warden.Phone your local council and ask to speak to him. I don't know what area you are in but put "dog warden"and then your council area into Google and see what comes up.
When I complained to the dog warden about an aggressive dog which had attacked my dog and others several times he was very discreet. He just told the offender "it had been notified to him ".Good luck.

[Catso]

Done that, shaneystar2. It says contact EH for dog problems. Which I did.

[shaneystar2]

That's a shame then because EH are quite frankly useless at times.
They pussyfoot around to much !
They shouldn't really reveal the names of complainants . It's a shame you can't get hold of the Dog Wardens number without having to go through them.
I do hope you get some result somehow.Perhaps as said before if you all band together you might get somewhere.
Take care.

[lankeela]

Try contacting a rescue kennel in your area, they will know you the dog warden is. Or maybe the vet.

[Catso]

If anyone is still watching this thread....

How long do bitches stay in season? It's now 9 days since he started keeping the bitch in the cage, and she's still in it. Is this ridiculously long? So maybe there's aome other reason this dog is isolated?

Only the usual background level of howling since last Wednesday.