DC rowhouse, new neighbor's dog barking nonstop. Options?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Awww. Can't you offer to watch the dog? Since you're home all day?

Wtf? OP isn't a pet sitter and has kids to take care of. Neighbors need to rein in their dog or put it in doggy day care.

[Anonymous]

Poison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poison.

This is how they handle it in the islands.

[Anonymous]

You can't "sue" over something like this. The worst that can happen to them is that they are fined. There is no private cause of action for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't "sue" over something like this. The worst that can happen to them is that they are fined. There is no private cause of action for you.

Not sure. I would record the dog. If it constitutes a nuisances under the law that interferes with the ability to live in their house, they may have grounds. Similar to if a person plays music very loud, or smokes in a house that has a common wall. Just as OP is expected to be tolerant if living in s row house, the new neighbors also are expected to be considerate. This is an animal control, noise ordinance issue. If the dog is barking nonstop, he obviously isn't happy and is under extreme stress which is s horrible thing to do to a dog as a dog owner,

When I called animal control over a constantly barking dog in my neighborhood, animal control came but no one answered their door. He left s notice and said if they didn't respond in 24 hours he could come back and take the dog. Turned out the dogs were tied in the back yard while the people went out of town. One of our other neighbors ended up breaking into their yard and taking the dogs back to their house to care for them, when the owners came back into town, their excuse was "well we work in the White House and had to go out of town in a hurry". They put their house on the market 2 weeks later.

I would ask your neighbors other neighbors, the ones who live on the other side of them, if they can hear the dog too. Sometimes their is power in numbers,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy noise machine. I have three dogs and they bark...because you know, they 're dogs!

If the police come, they stop barking and wag their tails instead, problem solved!

"They're dogs" is a shitty excuse. All dogs should be trained.

-dog owner

+1

-Another dog owner

[Anonymous]

Speak to the neighbors directly first before calling any authorities. Give them a reasonable time by which the noise will need to stop (I would think a month after they move in is a reasonable adjustment period for the dog). They may need to try bark collars or consider taking dog to a doggy daycare center while they're away at work. This may be overkill, but maybe come to them with a little treat for the dog when you come over to speak with them. Preface the complaint with your desire to be good/supportive neighbors, but then segue into the fact that this is an ongoing problem that will need to be addressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can't "sue" over something like this. The worst that can happen to them is that they are fined. There is no private cause of action for you.

Not sure. I would record the dog. If it constitutes a nuisances under the law that interferes with the ability to live in their house, they may have grounds. Similar to if a person plays music very loud, or smokes in a house that has a common wall. Just as OP is expected to be tolerant if living in s row house, the new neighbors also are expected to be considerate. This is an animal control, noise ordinance issue. If the dog is barking nonstop, he obviously isn't happy and is under extreme stress which is s horrible thing to do to a dog as a dog owner,

When I called animal control over a constantly barking dog in my neighborhood, animal control came but no one answered their door. He left s notice and said if they didn't respond in 24 hours he could come back and take the dog. Turned out the dogs were tied in the back yard while the people went out of town. One of our other neighbors ended up breaking into their yard and taking the dogs back to their house to care for them, when the owners came back into town, their excuse was "well we work in the White House and had to go out of town in a hurry". They put their house on the market 2 weeks later.

I would ask your neighbors other neighbors, the ones who live on the other side of them, if they can hear the dog too. Sometimes their is power in numbers,

Do not mob your neighbors. It could bring legal ramifications, even if you think you have a legitimate claim. I learned this the hard way, in close in VA. Just because I don't like what someone is doing, does not mean I have a right to mob them. Expensive lesson learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poison.

This is how they handle it in the islands.

Bad idea. There are several reliable tests for this. You could easily be on the hook for killing the dog, if not more. Don't do it.

[Anonymous]

"900. Dogs
900.1 No person shall own or keep a dog that, by barking or in any other manner,
disturbs the quiet of any neighborhood or any person."

They're also breaching the peace, which is another law.

The law is clear.

I think you give it a month and they get a lawyer to write a letter if you don't get the police to help. Threaten to sue. Don't like to, but.

One thing they can do is have the dog's larynx surgically altered so it just wheezes when it barks. A vet can do that.

[Anonymous]

they = then

[Anonymous]

OP again, thanks everyone. I actually ended up calling them last night (we had exchanged numbers) when the dog was still barking at 9 pm and our kids needed to get to sleep. He claimed the dog just needs more time.

I agree with poster above who suggests giving them a month, then suggesting a dog collar. I will also point out that their dog is obviously not happy being left alone 14 hours (on some days) and they should think about that. At the very least they can make an effort to get home earlier or take the dog with them when they are out during the day. (Why on earth would someone get a huge dog if they're going to leave it home along most of the time? I don't get it.)

The people on the other side are a group house, so although some of them may not like the barking, they probably won't get organized to complain.

Anyway, lots of good advice above and I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

bark collar, I meant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two weeks isn't that long for the dog to settle in. The owners can get a bark collar for their dog.

Exactly, dog is getting used to new surroundings and new noises.

Certainly let them know - maybe they can put in some ambient noise so that every little noise doesn't bother the poor guy.

For you - I also counsel a little patience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"900. Dogs
900.1 No person shall own or keep a dog that, by barking or in any other manner,
disturbs the quiet of any neighborhood or any person."

They're also breaching the peace, which is another law.

The law is clear.

I think you give it a month and they get a lawyer to write a letter if you don't get the police to help. Threaten to sue. Don't like to, but.

One thing they can do is have the dog's larynx surgically altered so it just wheezes when it barks. A vet can do that.

No sane pet owner would do this. I'd like to see the OP try this suggestion.