The police have shared advice on what to do if your neighbour’s dog is barking non-stop – and it might surprise you
Ever found yourself lying awake thanks to your neighbour’s dog barking relentlessly through the night? Police have revealed exactly what action you can take in these maddening situations – and their guidance may well catch you off guard.
Whilst some may instinctively reach for the phone to call 999 or contact the RSPCA, the Ask the Police website recommends approaching your neighbour first for a conversation. This approach stems from the fact that they could be entirely oblivious to the issue and its impact on you.
That said, the guidance shifts completely when dealing with persistent noise or suspected animal cruelty. According to the Mirror, an online post from Ask the Police explains: “In the first instance, we would advise that you approach your neighbour directly in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
“They may not be aware that it is happening. You should always ensure that any contact does not escalate the situation. If you have already tried this, the noise could amount to noise nuisance so, you should contact your local authority who will have a specific department to deal with such issues.
“Unless there is any evidence of the dog being mistreated then the RSPCA will not be able to help. If you do believe that the dog is being mistreated, you can contact the RSPCA.”
Ask the Police’s advice is also very similar in cases of noisy next-door TVs and blaring music. Crucially, the ‘police have no powers of prosecution for noise offences’ and contacting the neighbour directly is recommended in the first instance.
However, for ongoing problems, residents should contact the Environmental Health Department at their local council. Most departments provide ’24-hour cover’ and can be contacted at any time.
Ask the Police’s guidance continues: “For long-term problems, you may be asked by your local authority to keep a diary of information about the noise, such as when it occurs, how loud it is etc., and in some cases you may be provided with some equipment to record the noise. These two steps are designed to gather evidence.
“If the council then decides that someone is causing a statutory noise nuisance, they must issue a ‘noise abatement’ order (i.e. a chance for them to turn the noise down), which if broken can lead to a fine, although it is likely they will give your neighbour the opportunity to turn the TV/music down without further action. The whole process can take some time to complete.”
Councils are also able to issue warning notices for complaints regarding noise surpassing permitted levels between 11pm and 7am. In serious cases, this may escalate to being deemed a ‘statutory nuisance’, provided certain conditions are satisfied.
If this happens, a penalty of £110 for residential properties or a £500 penalty for licensed establishments within 14 days could be levied. Not paying the notice or resolving it quickly could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 for homes and an unlimited sum for licensed venues.
It is the council’s responsibility to investigate noise complaints regarding:
- Premises, including land like gardens and certain vessels (for example, loud music or barking dogs)
- Vehicles, machinery or equipment in the street (for example, music from car stereos)
Statutory noise nuisance laws do not cover noise from:
- Traffic or planes (they do apply to model planes)
- Political demonstrations and demonstrations about a cause
- Premises occupied by the armed forces or visiting forces
Councils can choose the level of service for handling noise complaints, such as whether to have officers available on call at night. For more information, head to GOV.UK.