Dog barks can be so loud and prolonged, especially in the wee hours of the night when you’re trying to get some shut-eye. And if your friendly complaints to your neighbors seem to fall on deaf ears, you’re not the only one thinking of ways to get back at them. You don’t want any trouble with the law but still badly crave their comeuppance for the noise pollution and sleepless nights they’ve cost you.
You can get back at your neighbors with barking dogs by calling the cops on them. Depending on the local laws, your neighbor will face the possible consequences, especially after receiving a warning. However, calling the animal control service may result in a mild yet effective confrontation.
Unfortunately, not every dog owner is as considerate as you’d expect, so going the extra mile might be necessary for your peace. I will discuss these and more ways to get back at them, which will certainly aid a quieter neighborhood.
1. Report to the Police
Non-stop, loud dog barks in the neighborhood can be so annoying, fueled by the owner’s reluctance to silence them. Instead of taking matters into your hands, simply report to your local police through the non-emergency line.
Almost every area has an “unfriendly neighbor” that calls the cops for the slightest issue. And although no one wants to be that neighbor, your options are limited if it’s at the cost of your comfort.
Every US state has criteria to report and respond to these cases, so it’s essential to learn what will be done first.
For example, in New York City, the police Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is in charge of these cases. They will only enforce action if you can easily hear the dog bark:
- For 5 minutes straight between 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
- For 10 minutes straight between 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
After sending a complaint with your and the neighbor’s address to the DEP, they will send a letter to the dog owner within 7 days. If the noise continues, the department will pay them a visit for a noise inspection.
It’s unlikely that the neighbor won’t attend to the dog afterward.
Rest assured, the DEP won’t even share your information with the dog owner if you’re afraid of getting into their bad books.
In almost every state, noise pollution is punishable by law, so you shouldn’t put up with incessant dog barks if you find them disturbing.
2. Call Animal Control
Sometimes, the police may not always be responsive to your complaints. Other times, like in Los Angeles, they are not directly obliged to enforce noise ordinances broken by pet dogs.
Regardless of the case, animal control is always ready to assist you in talking to that neighbor with a noisy dog. Be explicit and persistent if you’re really fed up with the noise when reporting, stating exactly how loud (and long) the barks are.
In LA, you’ll need to submit a letter with the following details:
- Your name
- Your phone number
- Your address
- The barking dog’s address
- A description of the dog’s barking
- Your signature
Later, an investigating officer may come by the area to confirm your report and take further steps.
Animal Control’s procedure on barking dogs generally differs from state to state based on the laid down laws but will always ensure a more peaceful area.
Past reporters have said that some officers even threaten to take the noisy neighbor’s dog away if they receive more complaints, which is very effective.
Sometimes, the dogs may even be barking because they’re in one distress or the other. They may be abused or need medical attention, so reporting to animal control can save a poor, maltreated dog.
3. Brace Yourself for a Legal Battle
You must testify against the barking dog’s owner in court in some cities or counties. But you can also directly sue the neighbor for loss of enjoyment of your home and property.
Like every court case, you must come with solid evidence to win. For example, if you’re in New York, you’ll need to do the following to stand a solid shot:
- Document the start and end times of the dog barks for a period
- Make a video or audio recording to support the documentation
- Talk to other neighbors if they can also stand as a witness for you
- If you’ve previously called animal control before, prepare to provide some insight into that
You’ll likely win the case if you go prepared, and your neighbor will definitely ensure his pet isn’t as noisy as before.
If there aren’t local laws about barking dogs in your city yet, contact your elected leaders and start a petition.
Note: The primary intent of suing the dog owner is not to make a fortune. It is possible to lose money through the entire process, so please don’t lose sight of your goal.
4. Purchase an Anti-Barking Sonic Device
Calling and re-calling authorities can be stressful and may not yield immediate results. Preparing to win a court case takes a lot of time and effort.
So, why not silence the dogs yourself with an ultrasonic bark stopper?
These devices send a loud, high-pitched sonic blast whenever it detects barking, or you switch it on manually when the barks start. The sound is inaudible to human beings but annoys dogs enough to stop barking.
If the dog lives in the next home, barking any time it sees you, use a manual one and associate a word like “STOP!” or “NO!” to teach it to calm down before switching it on. Dogs are intelligent, so doing that a couple of times will send a clear message.
The devices are not harmful to dogs, but when their owners discover what you’re doing, they’ll surely be pissed.
BarxBuddy Anti Barking Control Device on Amazon is one I recommend if you’re looking to buy. They are handheld and portable, with the necessary high-frequency sound to annoy but not harm dogs.
UANAX Anti Barking Device is also available if you want an automatic one. It will send off the blast whenever it detects dog barks and is suitable for the outdoors. The anti-barking device also covers up to 50 ft effectively, so you don’t need to be too close to the dogs.
Also, note that these devices will be less effective for dogs with hearing problems, so you may seek other alternatives. And you’ll also need to insert new batteries whenever the ones in it are depleted.
5. Use a Dog Whistle
A dog whistle works like the sonic anti-barking system in preventing dogs from barking. In fact, they were available long before those devices were invented and are lung-powered.
Naturally, dogs have ears that are more sensitive to sounds with higher frequency. The human hearing range is between 20 and 20,000 Hz, while a dog’s range is from 65 to 45,000 Hz.
Ultrasounds are beyond 20,000 Hz, naturally produced by insects and rodents and artificially by a dog whistle.
ACME Silent Dog, Adjustable, Silver Whistle is one I recommend buying. True to its name, you can adjust the frequency to make sounds more irritating to the dogs, especially when they’re proving stubborn. Moreover, dogs up to 400 yards (365.76 m) away can hear the sound, so you don’t need to be direct neighbors with the dog owners to use the ACME whistle.
You won’t need to remove and put batteries on any device with dog whistles. Just always keep it close to silence those canines.
Besides, unlike regular whistles, it is also inaudible to humans (making only a hissing sound), so you aren’t disturbing anyone whenever you use it.
6. Keep Disturbing the Neighbors
Although, by a long shot, politely pestering the neighbors sarcastically to annoy them is an amusing way to get back at them.
Dog owners may be so used to their pet barking that they can effortlessly go through their daily activities with the disturbance. Some even comfortably sleep with the loud noises at night.
So, whenever you hear their dogs barking for a long time, stop by their house to “ask” if anything is wrong because you’re “worried.”
Call their phone multiple times if they are not at home, or you can’t leave your home, acting concerned for their dog’s health, security, or safety. It’s good to be genuinely concerned, though.
If they are tired of picking up or answering your knocks when you visit, call the cops “because you’re concerned” that something may be wrong. Maybe the canine saw a trespasser or something.
Team up with friendly neighbors with like minds, taking turns to visit or call the dog owner non-stop. You guys can make it fun.
When you are persistent for some days to weeks, the neighbors won’t have any choice but to stop their dog’s noise.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, some neighbors are inconsiderate by being indifferent to their barking dogs. The barks may be too loud and prolonged to ignore, so get revenge on their owner in these ways:
- Report to the police.
- Call the local animal control service on them.
- Sue them to court.
- Use a dog whistle or anti-barking sonic device to silence the dogs.
- Keep pestering them until their dogs stop the noise.
