Clackmannanshire Council Online

Noisy Dogs Send Residents Barking Mad

National Noise Action Week 2008 starts on Monday 19th May and Clackmannanshire Council is focussing on barking dog complaints this year.

Barking dogs are the number one domestic noise complaint in Clackmannanshire, with 132 complaints last year - making up nearly 90% of all domestic noise complaints received.

Speaking ahead of Noise Action Week, Council Environmental Health Officer Lynn Crothers said: "The Council's Environmental Health Service wish to promote a responsible attitude towards dog ownership and we are urging dog owners to consider the effect that a barking dog may have on their neighbours. Barking comes naturally to dogs but the constant barking of a dog can be disturbing or annoying and cause distress to those who have to listen to it constantly.

"In some of the complaints we've received people have stated that they have had to move to other parts of their house to get away from the noise and in some extreme cases people have even considered moving house altogether because they cannot tolerate the noise any longer.

"By law, a barking dog can be a noise nuisance and Environmental Health Officers can take legal action against constant barking. However, it is hoped that officers can reduce the number of people affected by dog barking through advice and awareness raising rather than formal proceedings."

Dogs are sociable animals and barking is a natural and instinctive way of communication. However prolonged periods of barking can be a sign of an unhappy dog, for example the dog may be lonely, bored or frustrated.

If you are disturbed by barking dogs - first approach the owners. If the dogs bark when they are left their owners may well not realise there is a problem. If this fails, or you are not happy about approaching the owners, contact environmental health.

The following practical tips have been offered by the Council as productive ways to reduce problem barking:

• Train your dog from young so that it does not develop bad habits and remember it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Remember to reward good behaviour - don't punish bad.
• Try not to leave your dog alone for long periods of time. If you have to, ask someone to check on the dog and take it out for a walk if possible. Always ensure that the dog has sufficient food, water and ventilation, has comfortable bedding and adequate shelter.
• Try getting your dog used to being alone - start by putting it into another room for a few minutes then gradually build up the time you leave it alone.
• Dogs which are kept outside may sometimes bark at passers-by, so try moving the dog or screening it's enclosure so that it cannot see out.
• If your dog is bored it may bark or whine. Try leaving your dog with a suitable toy to keep it occupied when you're out.
• If you are leaving your dog inside the house, try turning the radio on at low volume and closing the blinds when you leave.

Lynn added: "Remember it is important to find out why your dog is barking to help you find a lasting solution. During Noise Action Week we would encourage everyone to be considerate in terms of the noise they create in their homes, including loud music, parties and DIY, and of the effect it can have on others."

Dog owners are encouraged to take their pet to training classes where the wider aspects of responsible ownership including dog fouling, straying, neutering as well as barking can be addressed.

For more information on the problem of dog barking and other noise pollution issues please contact the Council's Environmental Health Service on 0500 545 540. The Council's out of hours noise team operates from 8pm-3am Thursday-Saturday evenings. Call 0845 277 7000 to report noise during these hours.