No matter where you live it is always possible that you will run into issues with neighbors. I have to say that we had been lucky for the most part, until yesterday.
One of our neighbors lets their dog sit outside and bark for at least an hour everyday. Usually we have overlooked it because they were let in once it got bad. However, yesterday the dog was out there from 7:30am until at least 1:30pm barking and howling. I couldn't even let Emma outside because he was trying to get underneath our fence. My next concern was this dog was outside in the heat with most likely no water (they have a lock on their gate so there was no way to get in). I felt bad for the dog being left outside like that and it wasn't his fault at all. The first thing we did was try to call our neighbor, Kyle called several times without any response.
After getting no response from the neighbor, I called housing. It was a big waste of time! They basically said there was nothing they could do and proceeded to ask me if it was really a big deal that the dog was outside barking and to be careful because complaining could cause animosity with the neighbor. I told him I could care less about that! I was disappointed in the lack of help from the housing office and how they brushed off my concerns like they were nothing. I am pretty sure that no one wants to listen to a dog bark and howl for over 6 hours. My primary focuses were saving my sanity and helping that poor dog out.
Finally, our neighbor called Kyle back and sent someone to her house to let the dog back inside. He did let her know that we called housing when we could not get in contact with her. I am hopeful that the dog won't be left outside for hours on end anymore, fingers crossed!
What would you have done in this situation?
Have you ever had an issue with a neighbor and been forced to complain?
Oh, wow! That is a long time for that poor pup and for your sanity!! I would have been just as upset.
ReplyDeleteThat person needs to be locked ouside without food or water in heat for 6 hours. I CAN NOT stand stories like this and people like that need to be slapped.
ReplyDeleteA barking dog left outside is definitely not okay. A friend on FB just dealt with this, (it's been going on on a daily basis for years) and she put an anonymous note on their front door. So far, there has been no more barking dog.
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY would have called! How hot is it there? That breaks my heart for that dog and I'd be SUPER annoyed at the sound ALL day!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar situation. I was pet sitting for some friends and would let their dogs out in the morning to go to work because I didn't want them to be cooped up in the house for 9+ hours and not be able to use the bathroom. But apparently they barked a lot in the morning. I couldn't help that they barked and I felt bad, but I also didn't want them to use the bathroom in the house. It's almost a lose-lose situation. I hope your neighbors can figure out a routine for their dog soon!
ReplyDeleteWow, what jerks at housing to throw it back at you like that!! You're looking out for the dog's well-being and your own sanity.
ReplyDeleteOur neighbor currently has a souped-up old Honda with a modified muffler that is the freaking loudest thing I have ever heard. I can be in the shower with the fan on and the water running and still hear them come home. Last night they came home at 11pm and let the car sit in the driveway with the stereo turned up and the bass bumping and the muffler screaming as loud as ever, for like 15 minutes. Usually they leave at about 5am and wake me up. Also, modified mufflers are illegal in Alaska. I'm waiting for my husband to finally come home with his badge to nicely remind them of this fact.
ReplyDeleteRude, inconsiderate neighbors are absolutely the worst.
That is neglect of their animal. Typical of housing to respond that way. We have the same issues here. The problem is that if you see the animal ever outside of the fence the animal control with catch it and the vet will put it down after a week if not claimed. Maybe they could pay you to walk their dog?
ReplyDeleteI feel like we're the bad neighbors because we let our cats run all over the neighborhood...
ReplyDeletePoor dog. I would complain for constant barking too. It's annoying and plus, you can't help but feel for the dog.
ReplyDeleteExactly!!!
DeleteI'm really disappointed that housing offered no help! I think you did the right thing both for your sanity and the dog's well being!
ReplyDeleteWe had horrible neighbors in CA. They hated us because when they would have parties outside into the wee hours of the morning, the husband would go next door and tell them to keep it down. He called the cops on them once too. They were great neighbors, let me tell you.
ReplyDeleteThat's the worst! We had a neighbor like that in El Paso, they loved to party. Thankfully we weren't the only ones who called the cops.
DeleteWe have a neighbor who leaves their dog(s) out at night and all they do is bark. It gets annoying real quick!
ReplyDelete:( That's ridiculous!
DeleteMy parents have a neighbor with one that howls non stop. Cops won't do anything about it either. It really makes my mom mad lol.
ReplyDeleteI would be mad too!
DeleteIt's sad that the housing office was so unhelpful. We have a neighbor who blasts music really loudly at the most random times.
ReplyDeleteOur neighbors leave their dog outside in the heat, too! It makes me absolutely insane! What's worse is these dogs bark incessantly at the wind blowing by, so when an actual human is outside, they go absolutely insane. My heart breaks for the dogs, because they are clearly not well cared for and their owners couldn't care less. :(
ReplyDeleteWe have talked to neighbors about dog issues. Ehen things did not change, police talked to them about it. Dog was gone to a family member. It was a German shephard and young and loud. We have had noisy neighbor's older son party and beer bottles landed in our front lawn a few times. My hub picked up bottles and put son's bumper of car. It did not happen again.
ReplyDeleteWow, housing really let you down there! You definitely did the right thing, poor dog! If they can't properly take care of the poor dog, they probably should find a better home for him/her. Probably next time you could call the MP?
ReplyDeleteI was really upset that housing refused to do anything.
DeleteI would have done the same. A dog should not be left out for that many hours in the heat. Mine go outside for an hour or so, but I am home, and if I hear them barking, I make them come inside. I can't believe housing couldn't enforce it. I swear we had a clause when we lived on base that stated excessive barking would not be tolerated.
ReplyDeleteOMG, my next door neighbor leaves her dogs outside ALL THE TIME. In the rain, the heat, she doesn't care. She told us that she "hates dogs" and so they can't be in the same room as her. It's so sad bc no one loves them and they just bark and bark and bark. They even nip at the fence when my kids are outside. It's so sad.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you did everything right! I brought home an abandoned (or so I was told) huge dog one time. Hubby wouldn't let it in the house so it barked outside the whole time we tried to decide what to do. I was mortified and went to the neighbors on each side to apologize the next day. Luckily, they've since forgiven me. ;)
ReplyDeletewe had issues with some one in the neighborhood not curbing their dog and then some teenager throwing trash into our backyard everyday after school. It is sad to say but you will find a lot of people keep their dogs outside 24/7 even in the middle of the summer. It really is a shame. I used to toss a cup of ice cubes to our neighbors dog when his water ran out. I likely would have done the same as you.
ReplyDeleteUgh that's frustrating! Thankfully the issue seems to be resolved now, I'm just glad the dog is inside and not out in the heat.
DeleteThat's so' annoying, inconsiderate, and rude! There was a dog by our house who'd bark all night and keep me up... it drove me nuts!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely did the right thing. Just for the dog's health alone.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for the dog and you guys. That is so rude and an irresponsible dog owner to do that! I have a few neighbors who aren't the best. I feel bad saying it but I swear a couple of them are just "not all there" so its hard to speak to them about anything. I have to try and keep my mouth shut. I actually complained to a bunch of neighborhood girls just yesterday. They were playing soccer in our yard and crushed my hyacinths.
ReplyDeleteOh that would drive me batty. I can't stand dogs that incessantly bark, and I can't stand owners that leave their poor pets in bad conditions even more. Housing or the MP's should have at least checked on the dog to see if it had water and whatnot. Hope this all gets resolved!
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