Despite it being natural for a dog to bark constant whining or barking can be disturbing or annoying to neighbours. Often owners are unaware of the potential problem as the barking may be within working hours or when the owner is away from the premises.
Reasons why a dog may bark:
- Loneliness
- Boredom and frustration
- Attention seeking
- Defending its territory
- Medical problems
- Uncomfortable
- Hungry/thirsty
To resolve such an issue it is recommended you train your dog from an early age. Get your pet used to being alone for different time periods and don't make a fuss of your dog when you leave. Try not to leave your dog for longer than you have to and if it is kept outside make sure you think carefully where you locate the kennel to avoid temptations and distractions which might encourage it to bark.
If you register a complaint, you will be asked to keep noise complaint record forms over a period of days or weeks, and provide a description of what you hear, for how long, at what time of day and how it affects you in your home. We will then use this information to determine if there is a pattern to the problem and then seek to find the cause and resolve the issue with the owner(s) of the dog(s). Investigating officers will in most cases want to witness the dog barking for themselves.
If the barking is found to be giving rise to a statutory nuisance then an Abatement Notice requiring the person responsible to take remedial action may be served. The Abatement Notice will allow time for remedial action to be taken, and in many cases will require the reduction of the dog barking and not completed cessation of all dog barking.
Press Release
Council's Initiative to Reduce Barking Dog Complaints
Craigavon is tackling barking dogs within the Borough - in a humane and sensitive way.
Last year 44% of all the noise complaints received by Craigavon Borough Council's Environmental Health Department were about barking dogs. Now, members of the public can borrow an electronic dog collar specifically designed to help control a dog with a persistent barking problem.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Seamus Donaghy explains, "Barking comes naturally to dogs, but the constant barking of a dog can be disturbing or annoying for neighbours. By law, a barking dog can be a noise nuisance. We give help and advice to dog owners and we are now offering them these collars for their dogs to help reduce barking".
"These electronic collars are completely humane and are widely used. They work by sending a small electrical impulse every time the dog barks. They are usually successful in helping to control the dog barking".
There are many reasons why dogs may bark - they may be lonely, bored, need attention, be defending their territory or be suffering from medical problems. Every complaint received is treated seriously and steps are taken to help solve all noise complaints.
To get one of the collars all you have to do is contact the Environmental Health Department on 028 38 312521 with a refundable deposit of £20 or Click Here. As well as providing the dog collars the Environmental Health Department also gives verbal guidance and information leaflets to dog owners.
