Neighbours dogs - nuisance and cruelty?

[mrs_overall]

I am at my wits end with my neighbours. They have SEVEN dogs (6 labradors & 1 spaniel) which live in a cage in the garden. Whenever we go into our back garden the dogs bark continuously, so a quiet afternoon chilling in the sun is off my agenda. The spaniel howls 24/7 and this keeps my youngest child awake at night. Please don't suggest I have a polite word with them - I tried this and was told to "F. off."
I am not an animal lover but I am concerned about the welfare of these dogs. They are allowed out into the garden for 5 mins each morning & evening and were last taken for a walk three weeks ago. Occasionally their owner goes off shooting and takes a couple of the dogs with him. Apart from that, they are locked in the cage, which seems cruel to me.
Any suggestions please?

[zzxxee]

phone the r s p c a straight away you shouldnt have to put up with this
about the noise contact your local council

[mrs_overall]

Thanks zzxxee. I'll consult with Mr O (just to make him feel wanted - not cos he's got any say in the matter lol) and give them a ring

[momac]

I agree with zzxxee,ring them up right away,It's damned cruel both to you and the dogs.

[zzxxee]

in the mean time keep a diary of dates and times of excesive noise and how long they are shut up for, so you have something to show the authorities you could also make a complaint to your local police

[mrs_overall]

Thanks for your suggestions - I'm on with it now

[Jan1957]

People like this really make me angry. Why do they have dogs if they're not going to look after them properly? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[paraffin]

Move house? No, that's just me being cynical.

This is the perenniel problem which afflicts many people and for which there's no simple solution.

You and your neighbour clearly have no amicable relationship which will only be aggravated by having him reported. That isn't to say that you shouldn't, but be prepared for the flak which will come your way.

I'd suggest that your local council and dog warden be contacted in the first instance for advice. The RSPCA are unlikely to get involved unless it can be shown that the dogs are suffering in some way.

You are entitled to peace and quiet and your council should be able to help advise you. Ultimately, you may not get full satisfaction from this unfortunate situation which may continue indefinitely.

Could you enlist the helpof any of your neighbours who may be suffering similarly? A united effort may carry more weight and the council may be more inclined to act on a complaint from several people instead of just one?

Good luck.

[mrs_overall]

Thanks paraffin.
We are the only ones affected as our houses back onto fields and the neighbour at the other side is elderly and deaf as a post. I've quizzed the neighbours in the houses opposite, but being at the front, they don't hear anything.
It's an ongoing problem. Sometimes when the dogs are out for their 5 minute toilet break they occasionally jump over the fence into my garden. I'm sick of clearing up the poo and they've damaged loads of my plants trying to jump back.
Believe me, I'm the most reasonable person on the planet and have approached the neighbours in a friendly & polite manner but just get abuse & swearing. This is an example of how bad they are - they have put a huge trampoline right up against the fence facing my kitchen window, and then they came round to complain that I should keep my kitchen blinds closed at all times so their kids wouldn't think I was staring at them while I eat my meals!!!!!

[Jan1957]

That's just ridiculous mrs o. I would definitely contact the local Dog Warden. I had to a few years ago and they were really helpful.

[Twinkle17]

My only suggestion would be the dog warden. The RSPCA will sadly have no interest at all if the dogs have food water and shelter. The poor animals, your neighbour will more than likely be told to keep them quiet and how he would do that I dread to think. The dogs end up the losers, no excercise, a miserable life and not able to communicate in their own natural way, all because of their stupid owner.

Good luck x

[paraffin]

Hi again mrs_o:

Just had another think about your plight and it occurred to me that yours is a classic case of having your neighbour served with an ASBO (Anti-Social Behaviour Order).

It is something which you would need to broach with your local council who have the powers to serve such orders. If possible, and as discreetly as you can, try to tape some of the barking and any other noise being made by your neighbour. It's a good starting point and would show the council what you're having to put up with.

But, and if you feel confident enough, you could try approaching your neighbour again about the dogs and let them know that you're considering going to the authorities if they don't keep the dogs under control. It may do the trick.

But, if you get the same abusive response, you can then contact the council in the knowledge that you've given the neighbour every chance?

Best of luck.

[caththecrazy]

How big is the cage> If it isn't big enough for all of these dogs to move about in comfortably and they are in there for any length of time I think the RSPCA will intervene, especailly if they are barking. I know someone in the village had 3 dogs in a cage (they didn't want them digging up their lawn and garden!!!!) and their neighbour called the RSPCA and they did come round and explain that it wasn't fair keeping them in a cage all day while they were at work.

The cage is no longer in the garden and the nieighbour doesn't hear the dogs barking anymore but not sure if they still have the dogs or not.

[mrs_overall]

Thanks for all your answers.
I've phoned the RSPCA and the council dog warden and I'm waiting for both of them to get back to me.
In the meantime I have the tape recorder hard at work....

[Beauj]

Mrs O, everyone had given you both the correct and sound advice. But I just want to add 2 points. 1st, if you do embark (excuse the pun!) upon getting the RSPA & DWs involved, then from what you say, your neighbour is a nasty bit of work - so be prepared for a long running battle on your hands! - You know the usual, taxi's & take aways to your house at all hours and all the other silly things these type of people do to get back at you - you have a recourse to that also, but once again - - - on goes the battle. But the 2nd thing is, have you seen the thing which you can buy through some of these we selling magazines which sends an ultra (whatever?) sound which only the dogs can hear and it stops them barking? Worth looking into. I'd get it for my neighbour who also has about 6 / 7 dogs, only it may affect my 3 cats - - which I have to kill the mice that comes in from same neighbour!!