barking dogs, Ask Auntie, CNS Local LifeI have had to listen to the excessive barking of my neighbour’s dogs for years now. I am not exaggerating when I say these dogs bark all day every day and all night every night and I have honestly come to the point where I cannot tolerate this any longer. I do not look forward to coming home from work and I hate being home for any length of time because of having to listen to these dogs barking.

These dogs are also illegal breeds, which people continue to breed, and I can’t help but feel that this fact makes the situation even more ridiculous. I like being the ‘good neighbour’ but I don’t know how much longer I can continue to just wish that by some miracle these people will realise that their dogs are annoying. 

So there it is, Auntie. Your advice would be greatly appreciated as I am listening to them bark as I type this. Really, they NEVER shut up, NEVER.


Auntie’s answer: It is clear how distressed you are by this situation, though you do not mention ever having made an official complaint about the incessant barking, which is surprising if true. I don’t know how you have managed to make it through these last few years and yet still sound sane.

But, having said that, there does seem to be a recourse available to you and I will happily pass that on.

It seems the most direct route is going straight to the police. Noting the various laws which cover such things as mad dogs and taking proper care of your pet, and, more generally, complaints of loud noises, an RCIPS spokesperson said you should make a report to the police who, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DoA), will investigate the matter. These two departments work together on various dog-related complaints such as out-of-control and ferocious dogs.

In the case of non-stop barking like you are experiencing, the spokesperson explained, “The issue will be figuring out why the dog is barking so excessively. Is it because the way that the dog is tethered causes it discomfort (animal cruelty)? Or is the dog raised in such a way that it barks at every moving object (dangerously out of control or mad dog)?”

Since each instance may have a different cause, each one has to be dealt with “on a case-by-case basis”.

Therefore, the spokesperson advises you to make a police report about the noise, including whether you have any concerns about the welfare of the dogs. I’m thinking you could mention the breed of the dogs as well. The police will then contact the DoA and arrange to go with a DoA representative to the home in question and assess the situation.

In addition, you as the complainant, will be kept up to date on the investigation and “if the owner of the dog is to be prosecuted, the complainant will be required to provide a statement and attend court proceedings for this incident”.

To file a report, you can call the nearest police station to your home: George Town, 949-4222; West Bay, 949-3999; Bodden Town (and the Eastern Districts), 947-2220.

I hope you manage to get this sorted and will be able to enjoy a peaceful and quiet home life.

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