Online resources to confront irresponsible dog owners

19 years ago

I gather from reading some posts in this forum that some or perhaps even many have been victimized by barking dogs. That profile fits me well, as I have been victimized by irresponsible dog owners nearly every single place I have lived (mostly in Southern California).

Fortunately, I was able to confront 4+ irresponsible dog owners in my community of residence during the past year, and it meant preparing to go to court in one case. Fortunately, that dog owner came to her senses, realized I was serious, and so were 8+ of my neighbors, and she did what it took to quiet a very hyperactive barking dog. She is definitely the exception. Most dog owners do nothing, and scoff at those of us who want nothing more than legally enforceable peace laws.

Does anyone have additional resources, groups, and strategies for resolving dog barking? Meantime, the research, resources, information, strategies, scholarship, and group-level discussions at www.barkingdogs.net have been a great resource and encouragement to me, should anyone want to check it out. The largest problem, it seems ot me, is not the lack of laws, but the lack of enforcement of existing laws that very clearly state that dog barking is indeed a disruption of the peace.

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Comments (8)

webkat5
19 years ago
You might check the laws in your area...in most of our cities, it is not considered breaking the noise ordinance unless it it exceeds 15 continuous minutes and I think (not sure) that is only during "off peak" hours.
onewebfoot
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks. For what it's worth, I got results from "prosecuting" dog owners by video-documenting their offenses (which Animal Control forced me to do), and preparing a case for a county District Attorney. The DA's primary concern was additional witnesses. In other jurisdictions, no question, it varies. I'm a full-time telecommuter. I got the phone number of the primary offender. I got her attention. My point - the legal system is largely useless, except when the many loopholes and hoops through which it makes victims jump are fulfilled. In short - both Cops and DAs are comprehensively worthless. Prove me wrong (though you might actually agree)....
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Well, having had a dog that was aggressive towards strangers, I totally disagree with some of the above posters who say it's the dog owner's fault totally. I spent hundred's of dollars on trainers, behaviorists, rescue remedy etc. My dog had a screw loose. He was wonderful with our family and my young children. He just didn't see any reason for anyone else to come into our yard or house. It was very stressful having Kobe because I had to know where he was at all times. He had to be crated, or on his leash if I knew someone was coming over. He finally bit my neighbor - not a terrible bite, but enough to break the skin. I called up the breeder where I had gotten him and explained I couldn't keep him. She told me, "His daddy was always difficult around strangers too." I was like - who breeds a dog with a bad temperament? Anyways, she took him back, they live out in the country on a farm and since he was so well trained, they kept him in their house as a pet. I agree 100% that your neighbor needs to take action and probably have the dog put down. That was what I was going to do if the breeder wouldn't take him back. My dog's main problem was he was extremely fearful of people, and when he felt threatened, he became aggressive. He wasn't a mean dog, just saw things as threatening when they weren't at all. I cried more tears over this dog - he loved us all to death, and I loved him too. He just couldn't handle living in suburbia. I couldn't give him up to someone who didn't understand him because I was afraid they'd become violent with him when he lunged at people etc. Amazingly enough, he did well back on the farm where they didn't want any strangers just walking up their road or coming to their house. I also have to say, the comments about electric fences are just silly. Electric fences are for keeping your dog in your yard when they go out to pee, or to let them run around untethered. They are not designed to have a dog stay outside 24x7. Any dog who cannot be trained to stay within an electric fence has other training issues. My crazy dog Kobe was excellent in his fence. He just didn't like it when anyone came inside HIS fence. My current dog's collar just hangs like a necklace - he wouldn't even get shocked if he went through. He knows his boundries and when he hears the clicking warning sounds, he knows he can go no farther. I do agree that they do not protect your dog from other dogs or predators - but that's why I would never leave my dog outside for long periods of time or without checking on him. Many people can't have a fence due to trees around their property line or the sheer size of their yard. The electric fence is a great tool to allow your dog running room without them having to be on a leash.
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labmomma
19 years ago
What did the dog owner do to quiet his offender? In our neck of the woods the limit is 10 minutes of continuous barking.
onewebfoot
Original Author
19 years ago
The owner did three things. First, she put a bark collar on the dog (a sheltie - she has two). Only one sheltie was psycho (still is). Second, she reduced the dog's ability to go outside at will. Third - she hired a dog psychologist entailing multiple "therapy" sessions (I kid you not). Hundreds of thousands of people are starving in many locations on this planet, and Southern California dog owners are hiring dog psychologists.

Somewhere in this mix, combined my escalated neighborhood campaign and legal maneuvers against her (with hoop jumping implied on my part), she got this horrid beast under control.
rivkadr
19 years ago
Wow, I'm impressed! I read barkingdogs.net, due to my own barking dog issues (neighbor has a doberman that they leave outside in the morning and evening that barks pretty continuously). But I'm always too much of a nervous Nellie to do much of anything about it, so I just deal. I really don't like confrontation, and I keep hoping someone else will take up the reins and handle. So far, no one has. Buying new windows has helped a lot...
brutuses
19 years ago
A barking dog is a unhappy dog. If a dog is just barking to be barking, it's either hungry, sick or bored silly.

My dogs only bark when someone comes to the door.

Why do irresponsible, ignorant dog owners throw a dog in the yard and expect it to entertain itself?
quirkyquercus
19 years ago
You all just aren't set up.
A 100 watt PA speaker mounted under the front steps is fairly effective at reminding everyone and everything within one mile that the barking is bothering you. And if you turn the volume all the way up it scares the crap out of door to door solicitors.

That way you don't have to be "victimized" any longer.
buyorsell888
19 years ago
"Why do irresponsible, ignorant dog owners throw a dog in the yard and expect it to entertain itself?"

They are ignorant of the fact that crate training or indoor confinement during the work day is NOT cruel and that their leaving the dog outside all day IS.

I work from home and I truly hear the misery that the local barking dogs feel. Boredom too but mostly misery.

It doesn't change the fact that I feel victimized by them and I definately agree that enforcement of existing laws is a huge problem.

Online resources to confront irresponsible dog owners

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webkat5

onewebfoot
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Online resources to confront irresponsible dog owners

Comments (8)

webkat5

onewebfootOriginal Author

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labmomma

onewebfootOriginal Author

rivkadr

brutuses

quirkyquercus

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COMPANY

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GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

onewebfoot
Original Author

onewebfoot
Original Author