Barking dogs.

[d1cxx]

Until just over a year ago, our complex was really quiet, and peaceful. Then someone moved in with 2 dogs which bark nearly all day long from just after 6am until about 10pm. This is so bad my relatives who have come out with us each year for the past 3 years are not coming back this year, as their holiday was ruined by the dogs. I am thinking of speaking to my solicitor, or the police, as the person concerned seems to think their behaviour is perfectly acceptable. Does anyone think that I would get a proper response from the authorities? Or could there be another approach that I could take?

[rosiesmidge]

We had a problem with our Cypriot neighbour who kept two dogs locked in a cage which used to bark and howl for hours especially at night we went to the local beliday ( sorry about spelling ) and complained they went out and spoke to him about it so it might be worth while speaking to them this was in Lapta

[d1cxx]

Thanks for that, did you get a reaction from the neighbours? Do the Belediere have the power to enforce the owner to control them better?

[Panchocat]

I don't think they will be classed as a nuisance as they are not barking through the night. This is Cyprus after all and dogs do bark, I am glad they around us do as they deter undesirables....

[rosiesmidge]

The owner of the dogs just said its because foxes are after his chickens which are by the cage where the dogs were kept the beliday ( sorry about spelling again ) told him to move the chickens he does let the dogs uot during the day now so I think they aren't as bored as they were but go and speak to you local beliday you have nothing to lose

[d1cxx]

Strangely enough with regards to undesirables, up until recently I had not heard of any thefts locally, but now their has been some pretty theft. I dont think they keep anyone away, it's like a car alarm, when it keeps going off every few minutes, you tend to ignore it. Do local Turkish Cypriots just write unacceptable behaviour off as 'It is Cyprus" especially when it is a Brit who is causing it?

[Panchocat]

Yes our Cypriot neighbour says he likes to hear our dogs "Sing!" They dont bark much, but when we had an intruder in the garden, one winter's night, while the dogs were out, they pinned him against the wall and he was terrified. You also know when your dog is barking as a warning and my Cypriot neighbour knew that night that something was wrong by their different, "Singing."
Cyprus is renowned for its dog barking chorus!

[d1cxx]

I appreciate that as a dog owner yourself that you see the positives of having a barking dog, or (Singing) as you put it. In fact our next door neighbour has a dog which may bark once or twice a day if perhaps a stranger is walking by. What it doesn't do is bark, if a bird flies over, or if a car drives by, or if somebody coughs, or if a balcony door is opened, or if people sitting on their balcony are talking, etc, and on, and on. Bearing in mind that their are 2 dogs in this apartment who are both reacting to each other, and at no time do you hear or see the owner trying to prevent it. I too am a dog owner in the UK, if when he is in the garden, and decides to bark, I tell him off, and put him inside, the reason being is I am trying to show respect to my neighbours, and I can't imagine that my neighbours are sitting in their gardens, or houses, and saying "isn't that nice to hear next doors dog barking again" Perhaps if the owner actually made a conscious effort to try and control them, and was seen to be doing so, this may placate the other neighbours, one of whom actually got the police involved. Incidentally, before this person moved onto our complex, they rented in a neighbouring complex, and fell out with the management committee, and neighbours there also. This person must have been attracted to the complex because it was quiet, and well managed, they didn't get away with their behaviour at their previous location, but feels they can get away with it now.

[sophie]

This can be a really contentious subject and if we were back in the UK I would probably go absolutely bonkers if a neighbours dogs continually barked. But here in TRNC we have just got used to it (Unless I know that the dog is chained up or abused, or shut up on a tiny balcony in the full sun then its a different matter) We now have four "littlies" which are natural born yappers, our neighbours have one and yes, they bark a lot at certain noises, but once its a noise that happens regularly, they get used to it. As I type, our 4 and 1 next doors are complaining bitterly about the hordes of assorted workmen and the constant noise of JCB's close by. If I could bark, then I would be joining them!! Barking dogs are a Med thing, regardless of country and as long as they are not allowed to run around on the streets every day. Then we just live with it.

[elizabeth]

One of our neighbours has a dog which is driving me crazy with constant barking at every little sound or movement, the slightest sound and it goes hysterical for long periods of time.This poor animal is chained inside a cage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because it is a very dangerous dog who's owner freely admits it doesn't like people and she herself is unable to control it so never takes it out for exercise.
The dog attacked my husband outside our garden gate a while back, he was knocked to the floor and bitten quite badly, the police were very helpful as were the staff at Lapta hospital but sadly the Belediyesi were not much help. They said that if the dog attacked again and the victim reported it then maybe they would take action.
I actually like dogs and had one for many years when in the UK but owning a dog does bring responsibilities, one of those surely should be to ensure that your dog is not being a nuisance or danger to your neighbours.

[DarkAli]

I have dogs and have for over 40 yrs,mine are family not in a cage not tied up they are free,my neighbours have said they didnt know we had dogs its the owners who are to blame!!!

[d1cxx]

I have to agree with you DarkAli, but for many dog owners, (Not all) they regard them as their children, and take offence if anything is said against them. You are right, it is the owners who are responsible, but like many things in life, people different standards, as to what is acceptable or not. Anyway, I suspect it will mean a visit to the Belediere, to get advice.

[Ragged Robin]

It really depends on what the dogs are barking AT. Stray cats which are fed in nearby gardens deliberately tease dogs, so do some children to make them bark. Cars parking and blocking a driveway also arouse a dog's protective instincts as do passing stray dogs and cats yowling when they are mating... Sometimes dog's misunderstand what they should be protecting against (every year in July and August I try to persuade mine that they cannot take on the Turkish Air Force!) but sometimes one can only be very thankful for it, as when a bout of highly aggressive and suspicious behaviour with much growling and barking and yapping revealed a highly poisonous snake.

Sadly for some people it is always the dog's fault or its owner's: never the cats' , people who encourage strays into residential areas, unsupervised children or irresponsible drivers'

As someone said above, animal sounds are endemic to Mediterranean countries and in rural areas everywhere Perhaps you could think yourself lucky if it is only dogs, some of us are bombarded day long with cement mixers, pneumatic drills bulldozers etc. Others (perhaps even worse ) are unable to sleep because of the "music" until the early hours from bars and restaurants.

If the dogs are dangerous call the Police.

If they are being mistreated or SERIOUSLY neglected speak to the Veterinary Office and tell one or more of the voluntary animal rescue organisations.

For "noise pollution " the Environmental Health Officer is the man to deal , but with all the other complaints as mentioned in my second para above , he may not see it as top priority.

If the dogs are just bored and lonely while owners are at work, there is not much can be done, thoughI have heard of cases where the neighbours volunteer to take the dogs for walks and /or provide toys and treats to distract with far less barking as a result.

[Welldigger]

I am a dog owner and my dogs do not bark as I have respect for my neighbours.
However, when any neighbouring dogs do feel the need to bark randomly, a quick blast from my fog horn (purchased from Mr Pound) seems to do the trick. The dogs relate their barking with getting blasted with a fog horn and don’t like it. Now I only have to walk out the house and the dogs stop as they know what to expect.
It also serves as a very good reminder to the errant dog owners who seem to allow their dogs to bark without it bothering them. The fog horn soon wakes them up too and makes them take action.
Seems like drastic measures I know but so what, I don’t care and don’t appreciate manic dogs barking incessantly.

[frontalman]

I can see another thread starting up about noisy foghorns.

[Ragged Robin]

A water pistol is quieter.

[jofra]

Why pussyfoot about? You have to be dogged about resolving this sort of problem - USE A TASER!!

[jofra]

....Of course, certain breeds (especially some Labrador variations) are more prone to odd behaviour....

[Hedge-fund]

I am a dog owner and my dogs do not bark as I have respect for my neighbours.
However, when any neighbouring dogs do feel the need to bark randomly, a quick blast from my fog horn (purchased from Mr Pound) seems to do the trick. The dogs relate their barking with getting blasted with a fog horn and don’t like it. Now I only have to walk out the house and the dogs stop as they know what to expect.
It also serves as a very good reminder to the errant dog owners who seem to allow their dogs to bark without it bothering them. The fog horn soon wakes them up too and makes them take action.
Seems like drastic measures I know but so what, I don’t care and don’t appreciate manic dogs barking incessantly.

Great idea

[Ragged Robin]

Sorry I cant resist it: this thread is about to go barking mad , and get all snarled up

[ttoli]

I am a dog owner and my dogs do not bark as I have respect for my neighbours.
However, when any neighbouring dogs do feel the need to bark randomly, a quick blast from my fog horn (purchased from Mr Pound) seems to do the trick. The dogs relate their barking with getting blasted with a fog horn and don’t like it. Now I only have to walk out the house and the dogs stop as they know what to expect.
It also serves as a very good reminder to the errant dog owners who seem to allow their dogs to bark without it bothering them. The fog horn soon wakes them up too and makes them take action.
Seems like drastic measures I know but so what, I don’t care and don’t appreciate manic dogs barking incessantly.

The same with the feral cats on my site , I just have to touch the hose reel and they scatter