Noise Nuisance - Dogs

[PAWS]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Fantastic response Kati - sock it to them!

[Carnelian]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

I would change this bit..
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I am willing to take on any additional advice from yourself as to keeping my dogsquiet (if indeed they are to blame for the complaint you have received) however I fail to see what else I can do to ensure these animals are not the cause of unnecessary disturbance

It kind of implies that you are accepting things and making the last words they read to be about ways of keeping your dogs quiet which isn't positive? I think I would just stop a the end of 'additional advice from yourself'. so it would read..

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I am willing to take on any additional advice from yourself.

And then finish it off?

[MissFM]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Hi Kati ,

As a back-up - and a stick-that-in-your-pipe-and-smoke-it should things escalate - apparently the simplest and most foolproof method of training a dog to fall silent on command is to first train it to bark on command. You put it in a situation where you know it's going to bark and use the command "Speak" (or other preferred succinct option). Pretty quickly the dog believes it's barking on command and , in fact, does. You then start fiddling with a treat when you see it's about to stop, and when it stops barking you say "Enough" (or OPSO) and reward it. And so on until the "Enough" command works even when you didn't instigate the barking in the first place.

I'm sorry if this is a grandmother-sucking-eggs suggestion but just can't resist the thought of an official coming to award your dogs an ASBO only to observe their instant obedience to a command for silence..... :beagle2222: xx

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Hi Kati ,

As a back-up - and a stick-that-in-your-pipe-and-smoke-it should things escalate - apparently the simplest and most foolproof method of training a dog to fall silent on command is to first train it to bark on command. You put it in a situation where you know it's going to bark and use the command "Speak" (or other preferred succinct option). Pretty quickly the dog believes it's barking on command and , in fact, does. You then start fiddling with a treat when you see it's about to stop, and when it stops barking you say "Enough" (or OPSO) and reward it. And so on until the "Enough" command works even when you didn't instigate the barking in the first place.

I'm sorry if this is a grandmother-sucking-eggs suggestion but just can't resist the thought of an official coming to award your dogs an ASBO only to observe their instant obedience to a command for silence..... :beagle2222: xx

we did that with my last dog (but taught him to react to hand signals aswell as voices) ... I never had to bother with Fluke (the oldest one I've got now) before as he never once barked in the 13yrs we've had him. He only started here! They both do quieten when told to by one of the 'family' now, but I think it's unfair on the dogs to leave them out if they're being tormented by the kids next door

On a plus note tho' - I've finally convinced my OH we need to build the dog 'garden' at the side of the house :nod:. Nice solid fencing, a big kennel (to keep 'em out of the wind), away from anywhere the neighbours kids can see or reach and better for the dogs too ... after it's finished, they can be let out without me worrying they'll get hurt It'll probably stop them barking too!!

All I've got to do now is wait for the reply from the council

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Well ... I got a reply to my email:

Dear Miss XXXXXXX
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Alleged Noise complaint

Thank you for your comprehensive email the contents of which are noted and added to file.

Firstly, as the letter points out we have no evidence as of yet to indicate any wrongdoing, however we are legally obliged to investigate any complaints of this nature and therefore this is why you have been informed.

The complainant advises of being disturbed by “dogs howling and barking all hours night and day” and from the information you have provided this obviously does not sound like it is eminating from your premises. Should the investigation continue to the next stage then, as you quite rightly point out, personal visits are made to attempt tio identify where the dog barking is coming from.

You will be notified at pertinent points within the investigation process, however in the meantime should you wish to discuss this matter further then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely


Mark Anslow
Senior Environmental Health Officer
Neighbourhood Services

all I've got to do now is get a reply sorted out where I can enquire if he has also written to the other dog owners in the street

[nemesis45]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Well ... I got a reply to my email:

all I've got to do now is get a reply sorted out where I can enquire if he has also written to the other dog owners in the street

Ask outright Kati,

Dear Mr Council worker,

Thank you for your reply to my letter regarding nuisance caused by barking dogs, and the action taken or actions that may be taken by your department.

Can you please confirm that other dog owners in the relevant area have also been contacted.

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Ask outright Kati,

Dear Mr Council worker,

Thank you for your reply to my letter regarding nuisance caused by barking dogs, and the action taken or actions that may be taken by your department.

Can you please confirm that other dog owners in the relevant area have also been contacted.

I might just do that Nem :nod: (although my letters are usually a bit more complex than that - I like making people have to think about what I've said :lol

[Quasar]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Sounds like newcomers from the city hoping for a change in life ( a bit of quietness ) Yes a small village with nothing but fields and woods does appear quiet.

I had a similar issue when a Londoner moved to the village and he actually came to a field me and friend were shooting in after midnight, complaining he cant sleep and will report us to the police.

I told him to go ahead as the police already know we are out here ( I make sure they know how many and which fields and what time were shooting from/til )

He met with me next morning explaining that we wanted to get away from London for peace = - I said, good luck, come winter, there will be so many tractors, shooting, and chickens etc,

3 months later he moved back to Quiet old London



Don't let it get to you. Everyone on the street who have dogs probably would have got this letter, and nothing usually happens if you live rurually.

[nemesis45]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

I might just do that Nem :nod: (although my letters are usually a bit more complex than that - I like making people have to think about what I've said :lol

I admit to being a " trifle" blunt at times, not allowing the recipients time to think often that give far more explicit answers
nem

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

I admit to being a " trifle" blunt at times, not allowing the recipients time to think often that give far more explicit answers
nem

blunt can be good too although I've got to admit that I've never thought you are myself :lol:
K x

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

GRRR!!!!

Dear Miss XXXXXXX,
Other dog owners have not been notified as the complainant has indicated your address as where the noise is being emitted from. Should our investigation demonstrate another address is causing a noise issue then they will be notified accordingly.

regards

[nemesis45]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

GRRR!!!!

Sounds like this maybe vexatious Katie.

Keep an eye out for " lurking" neighbours.eep:

nem

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Ok ... it has now been 49 days since I got the first letter and apart from a couple of emails from the guy at the council I've heard nothing further
I was told that the 'complainer' had been asked to fill in a diary for 28 days - which would have taken us up to the 4th April (if started the date on the first letter) and that I would hear more when this was returned.

Personally, I think I've been patient enough now. We are 21 days over the end of the diary ... surely I should have heard something by now?!? Time for a complaint letter :tinysmile_twink_t2:

[PAWS]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

Keep an eye out for " lurking" neighbours.

And if you see one, dare I say ‘set the dogs on them’! Seriously though. What is the matter with people? If, and I do stress if, your dog was annoying someone why could they not simply pop over and talk to you. This would save you, them and the council a hell of a lot of time and effort and they might just discover they got the wrong dog / house. It always annoys me the way people immediately run down official channels be it disputes with neighbours or family.

[Kati]

Re: Noise Nuisance - Dogs

I emailed the council again yesterday pointing out the length of time it has now been going on and saying that enough is enough if I don't have a reply by Wed next week I'll be putting in a formal complaint.

K x